Pneumatic distribution machine

Abstract

Pneumatic distribution machine, comprising - at least one storage container (2) for receiving distribution material with at least one outlet opening; - at least one metering device (10) arranged downstream of the outlet opening of the storage container (2); - a plurality of transfer chambers (9) arranged downstream of the dosing element (10) for transferring distribution material dosed by means of the dosing element (10) into a plurality of conveying lines (3), which are arranged substantially parallel to one another in the region of a respective upper chamber (9); - at least one fan (7) for supplying the conveying lines (3) with an air stream; and - at least one distribution element (6) arranged downstream of a respective conveyor line (3), characterized in that a respective base section (17) of a respective transfer chamber (9) can be pivoted about a common pivot axis (S) arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of a respective conveyor line (3) between a closed position, in which the respective base section (17) closes the respective transfer chamber (9), and an open position, in which the respective base section (17) releases an opening cross-section of a respective transfer chamber (9) and is arranged outside the respective opening cross-section.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pneumatic distribution machine, comprising - at least one storage container for receiving distribution material with at least one outlet opening; - at least one dosing device arranged downstream of the outlet opening of the storage container; - a plurality of transfer chambers arranged downstream of the dosing device for transferring the distribution material dosed by the dosing device into a plurality of conveying lines which are arranged substantially parallel to one another in the region of a respective upper chamber; - at least one fan for supplying the conveying lines with an air stream; and - at least one distribution device downstream of a respective conveying line.

[0002] Such pneumatic distribution machines are used primarily in agriculture, particularly in the form of pneumatic fertilizer spreaders, seed drills, seed drills, or the like, for spreading powdered or particulate material, such as fertilizer, seeds, and the like, in a variety of designs. They typically comprise a storage container for holding the material to be distributed, below which the dosing element(s) is / are arranged. While actuator- or manually operated dosing slides interacting with one or more outlet openings of the storage container can also be used as dosing elements, the dosing elements of generic pneumatic distribution machines typically have a dosing roller driven to rotate about a rotational axis, which can be designed, for example, in the form of a cellular wheel and / or cam wheel roller.The dosing roller is mounted in a dosing housing, which usually has a dosing inlet arranged in the region of its upper side, which is connected to an outlet opening of the storage container, and a dosing outlet arranged in the region of its underside.

[0003] Pneumatic distribution machines, which can be implemented in lightweight designs as attachments that can be coupled to the three-point linkage of a tractor, or in heavy-duty designs that can be mounted on an axle-supported trailer or a self-propelled vehicle, typically also include laterally extending outward booms that accommodate delivery lines ending at different distances from each other. A blower is used to convey the material to be distributed. The blower's pressure line connects, for example, to the metering outlet of the metering housing of a respective metering device and flows into a pressure distributor, to which the delivery lines are connected.Transfer chambers arranged between the pressure distributor and the conveyor lines, which can expediently be equipped with injectors each comprising a nozzle and a diffuser, serve to transfer the distribution material from the metering roller of the metering device to the conveyor lines in order to ensure that each conveyor line receives the same or the desired amount of distribution material. The distribution material is finally conveyed pneumatically via the outwardly deflected conveyor lines to their ends, where the spreading material is transferred to corresponding distribution devices. Depending on the design of the distribution machine or the type of distribution material to be distributed, the latter can be designed, for example, in the form of impact devices such as impact plates, impact plates or the like, onto which the distribution material pneumatically transported in a respective conveyor line strikes and from there is deposited on the ground in a substantially fan-shaped manner.Other types of distribution devices, such as those used in particular for seed distribution, but also for deep fertilization, can include injection devices for introducing the distribution material into the soil, as known, for example, from WO 2015 / 120982 A1, to introduce the distribution material into a soil furrow and to close the furrow again, preferably using downstream slotted closure devices, such as harrows or the like. Other common distribution devices include seed coulters or seed tines, which also create a slot in the soil into which the distribution material can be deposited.

[0004] Such a pneumatic distribution machine is known, for example, from WO 2018 / 219489 A1. The distribution machine comprises a plurality of metering units, whose metering rollers have a plurality of metering wheel segments that are rotationally driven in a controlled or regulated manner. Each metering wheel segment of a respective metering wheel transfers the mass flow of distribution material metered by it to a transfer chamber of a respective conveyor line, which feeds the distribution material to a respective distribution unit. This results in a very fine subdivision of possible partial widths, with each metering wheel segment being able to supply a partial width of the total working width of the distribution machine, e.g., a single distribution unit or groups of distribution units.

[0005] The transfer chambers, which are often equipped with an injector with a nozzle and a diffuser, are usually arranged at a very low height level below a respective dosing device, which in turn is positioned below a respective outlet opening of the storage container receiving the material to be distributed, on the one hand for reasons of space, and on the other hand to achieve the lowest possible center of gravity of the distribution machine and the efforts to give the storage container the largest possible capacity.Consequently, the space available for conducting a calibration test is generally very limited and difficult to access, especially since a calibration sample collection container for the material metered during the calibration test must be arranged below the transfer chambers in order to collect the material metered over a specified period of time with a specified setting of the metering device and to determine its mass, usually gravimetrically. In order to be able to combine the operations of fertilizing and / or sowing with soil cultivation in a space-saving manner, some pneumatic distribution machines, particularly in the form of so-called seed drills, are often also equipped with active or passive soil cultivation implements, such as packer rollers, rotary harrows and the like, which further limits the space available for a calibration test.However, it is essential for the calibration test that all of the material dosed during its execution can be safely collected in order to ensure a high degree of accuracy in the adjustment of the metering devices during the subsequent fertilising / seeding process and to avoid incorrect dosing, particularly overdosing, also known as “calibration errors” due to only partially collected material, both for economic reasons and for environmental reasons.

[0006] In practice, calibration tests are therefore only possible for a few transfer chambers, particularly when the distribution machine has multiple distribution lines, each of which is assigned its own transfer chamber. The respective transfer chamber must be partially dismantled in a more or less complex manner in order to collect the metered distribution material during the calibration test using a calibration sample collection container. If multiple transfer chambers are equipped with sampling openings intended for conducting calibration tests, their closure elements must be opened individually for each upper chamber and closed again after the calibration test, which also proves to be laborious and complex in terms of handling.Finally, the calibration sample collection container often has to be held manually below the respective removal opening, which, particularly in view of the generally difficult accessibility of the transfer chambers, poses the risk that the distribution material dosed during the calibration test is not completely collected.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of developing a pneumatic distribution machine of the type mentioned at the outset while at least largely avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages and in particular while reliably preventing calibration errors in order to ensure, from a structural point of view, in a simple and cost-effective manner that calibration tests can be carried out on a plurality of transfer chambers simultaneously.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved in a pneumatic distribution machine of the type mentioned at the outset in that a respective base section of a respective transfer chamber can be pivoted about a common pivot axis arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of a respective conveying line between a closed position in which the respective base section closes the respective transfer chamber and an open position in which the respective base section releases an opening cross-section of a respective transfer chamber and is arranged outside the respective opening cross-section.

[0009] The design according to the invention therefore provides for a respective pivotable floor section for each transfer chamber of the distribution machine, wherein the floor sections of the transfer chambers can be pivoted about a common pivot axis between their closed position and their open position in order to be able to take calibration samples in all transfer chambers together. Due to the pivot axis of the floor sections being arranged approximately perpendicularly in relation to the conveying direction or the direction of extension of a respective conveying line, the transfer chambers are easily accessible when the floor sections are open in order to be able to collect the distribution material metered into all transfer chambers by means of a calibration sample collecting container. In addition, this results in a modular design of the transfer chambers including their pivotable floor sections, which can be configured according to the design of the distribution machine orwhose dosing elements can be mounted next to each other in different numbers without having to change the structural design of each transfer chamber, including its pivoting base section.

[0010] The common pivot axis of the floor sections of the transfer chambers can, for example, be formed by a shaft arranged below the conveyor lines, wherein the shaft can, for example, be designed in one piece and mounted below the transfer chambers or can also be mounted substantially in a rotationally fixed manner, or the shaft can, for example, also be composed of a plurality of coaxial shaft stubs, which in turn are mounted below a respective transfer chamber or can also be mounted in a rotationally fixed manner in order to be able to mount a respective pivotable floor section between two opposite shaft stubs.

[0011] As mentioned at the beginning, the transfer chambers of generic pneumatic distribution machines are often equipped with injectors, each of which has a nozzle and / or a diffuser for delivering the distribution material metered by the metering device to the respective conveying line and fluidizing it there as evenly as possible. If the transfer chambers of a distribution machine according to the invention are equipped with such injectors, it can preferably be provided that the nozzle and / or the diffuser of a respective injector are fastened to the respective pivotable base section of a respective transfer chamber, so that the respective injector is pivoted out of the respective transfer chamber together with the respective pivotable base section when a calibration test is carried out, when the pivotable base section is pivoted from its closed position to its open position.This prevents the metered distribution material from being accidentally retained in parts of the injector during the calibration test, but rather the entire distribution material can be safely collected using a suitable calibration test collection container.

[0012] In order to ensure very simple and convenient handling when carrying out calibration tests, the pivotable bottom sections of at least some, in particular all, transfer chambers which are arranged downstream of a respective dosing element can preferably be actuated jointly in order to pivot them jointly between their closed position and their open position.

[0013] From a design perspective, it can advantageously be provided for this purpose that the pivotable floor sections of the transfer chambers are connected to one another by means of a connecting shaft arranged substantially parallel to the common pivot axis of the floor sections and at a radial distance therefrom. The connecting shaft, which, for example, passes through aligned bores in the pivotable floor sections of the transfer chambers and is thus mounted, in particular rotatably, on the pivotable floor sections, primarily serves to synchronize the pivoting movement of the floor sections in order to thereby enable the opening cross-sections of the transfer chambers to be opened and closed jointly.

[0014] A locking device can preferably be rotationally fixedly mounted on the connecting shaft of the pivotable base sections of the transfer chambers, in order to jointly lock or release the pivotable base sections in their closed position by rotating the connecting shaft. In this way, the pivotable base sections coupled by the connecting shaft can not only be pivoted synchronously about the common pivot axis to jointly open the opening cross-sections of the transfer chambers during a calibration test or to close them again afterwards, but the pivotable base sections can also be jointly locked or released from their closed position by rotating the connecting shaft in one direction or the other.

[0015] The locking device can, for example, have at least one hook which is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner to the connecting shaft of the pivotable base sections and which can be brought into or out of engagement with at least one complementary, stationary engagement means, such as a pin or the like cooperating with the hook, by rotating the connecting shaft, wherein the engagement means can be fixed, for example, to the housing of at least one of the transfer chambers or to the frame of the distribution machine.

[0016] Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that a handle, in particular in the form of a lever, is arranged on the connecting shaft of the pivotable floor sections of the transfer chambers in order to pivot the pivotable floor sections together between their closed position and their open position by means of the lever in a simple manner.

[0017] The handle can advantageously be fastened in a rotationally fixed manner to the connecting shaft of the pivotable floor sections of the transfer chambers in order to jointly lock or release the pivotable floor sections in their closed position by turning the handle and thus the locking device which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the connecting shaft, i.e. in this case the handle serves on the one hand to lock or release the pivotable floor sections of the transfer chambers in the closed position when the connecting shaft is turned in one direction or the other by means of the handle, and on the other hand the handle serves for the simple joint pivoting of the floor sections between their closed position and their open position.

[0018] Furthermore, it can be provided that a quick-release fastener is assigned to the handle in order to lock or release the handle at least in the closed position of the pivotable base sections of the transfer chambers. The quick-release fastener can be designed in any known manner, such as a push button, the actuation of which allows the handle to be moved—either to actuate the locking device of the pivotable base sections of the transfer chambers and / or to transfer them between the open and closed positions—otherwise, movement of the handle is blocked.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that at least one locking device is assigned to the pivotable floor sections of the transfer chambers, which locking device is designed to hold the pivotable floor sections in their open position, so that the pivotable floor sections in their open position are locked in their open position during the performance of a calibration test and do not run the risk of being inadvertently pivoted back at least partially in the direction of their closed position.

[0020] Such a locking device can in principle be designed in any known manner and, for example, can have at least one locking element, in particular an elastically flexible one made of rubber, silicone or other elastomers, which can be brought into engagement with an extension of a respective pivotable base section of the transfer chambers when the pivotable base section is in the open position.

[0021] According to an advantageous development, a holding device can be arranged below the opening cross-sections of the transfer chambers, which can be closed by means of a respective pivoting floor section. This holding device is designed to releasably hold a calibration sample collection container that can be inserted into a space below the pivoting floor sections. The calibration sample collection container therefore does not have to be laboriously held or placed on the floor during the calibration test, but can be releasably fixed to the holding device to ensure that all the distribution material dosed during the calibration test is safely transferred into the calibration sample collection container.

[0022] The holding device can preferably comprise at least one, in particular two, expediently parallel guide rails which extend or extend essentially parallel to the common pivot axis of the pivotable floor sections of the transfer chambers, wherein the guide rail(s) is or are designed to carry the calibration sample collection container and to insert and remove it into and from the installation space below the pivotable floor sections (17). In this way, a calibration sample collection container can not only be easily positioned in the intended collecting position for the dosed distribution material when carrying out a calibration test, but simple insertion and removal is also possible.The calibration sample collection container can be pulled out into the usually very cramped and difficult to access space below the transfer chambers by guiding the calibration sample collection container along the rail(s).

[0023] 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 an embodiment of a pneumatic distribution machine for spreading material to be distributed in the form of a pneumatic spreader designed as a trailing device for agricultural purposes; Fig. 2 a schematic perspective detailed view of the distribution machine according to Fig. 1 in the area of two of its dosing elements; Fig. 3 a schematic perspective detailed view of a plurality of conveyor lines in the area of the transfer chambers each provided with a pivotable base section, as in a distribution machine of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 can be used with the pivoting base sections in their closed position; Fig. 4 a schematic side view of the transfer chambers each provided with a pivoting floor section according to Fig. 3, wherein the pivotable base sections are locked in their closed position by means of a locking device, the handle of the locking device being omitted for illustrative purposes; Fig. 5 one of the Fig. 4 corresponding schematic side view after the locking device has been moved into a position in which the pivotable base sections, which are still in their closed position, have been released and can now be pivoted about their common pivot axis into their open position; Fig. 6 one essentially of the Fig. 3 corresponding schematic perspective detailed view of the plurality of conveyor lines in the region of the transfer chambers each provided with a pivotable base section, wherein the pivotable base sections are in their open position, in which a respective opening cross-section of the transfer chambers is released and enables the performance of a calibration test; Fig. 7 one essentially of the Fig. 4 corresponding schematic side view of the transfer chambers provided with the pivoting floor sections according to Fig. 6, wherein the pivoting floor sections in their opening position are in accordance with the Fig. 6 are located; Fig. 8 a schematic sectional view of transfer chambers equipped with an injector similar to the side view of the Fig. 7, wherein the pivotable floor sections are in their opening position; Fig. 9 a schematic sectional view of the transfer chambers equipped with an injector according to Fig. 8, whereby the pivoting floor sections in their closed position are in accordance with the Fig. 3 to 5; Fig. 10 a schematic perspective detailed view of a pivotable bottom section of the transfer chambers equipped with an injector according to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9; Fig. 11 one of the Fig. 6 corresponding schematic perspective detailed view of the plurality of conveyor lines in the region of the transfer chambers each provided with a pivotable base section, wherein the pivotable base sections are in their open position, in a situation in which a calibration sample collection container is introduced into the installation space below the transfer chambers in order to carry out a calibration test; Fig. 12 essentially the Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 corresponding schematic side view of the transfer chambers provided with the pivoting floor sections according to Fig. 11, wherein the pivoting floor sections in their opening position are in accordance with the Fig. 6 to 8, with the calibration sample collection container of the Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 a schematic perspective exploded view of a plurality of conveyor lines in the area of the transfer chambers each provided with a pivotable base section.

[0024] In the Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a pneumatic distribution machine in the form of a single-axle trailer pulled by a tractor (not shown), which is designed as a pneumatic spreader for powdered or particulate material to be distributed, such as fertilizer and / or seeds. The distribution machine has a storage container 2, in the present case provided with a roof 1, which is held by a support frame for receiving the material to be distributed, the lateral, front and rear walls of which taper inwards in the lower area to at least one floor trough, which in the Fig. 1 has outlet openings not visible, each of which has a dosing element (see reference numeral 10 of Fig. 2). For example, one, two, three or more outlet openings can be provided on each longitudinal side of the lower portion of the storage container 2, each of which is provided with a dosing device 10.

[0025] The Fig. 1 dosing elements 10, which are not shown in detail, are arranged, for example, at different heights and each supply a plurality of conveyor lines 3 with the metered distribution material, wherein the conveyor lines 3 are each combined into packages and initially guided backwards to a lifting frame 4 and then deflected outwards. For this purpose, the lifting frame 4 accommodates two (shown broken away) booms 5, which are in their Fig. 1 shown operating position extend on both sides essentially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the distributor. Each boom 5 is pivotally connected to the lifting frame 4 and is expediently designed with multiple joints, so that individual boom sections can be moved together with the conveyor lines 3 from the outwardly extended operating position according to the Fig. 1 can be folded into a folded rest or transport position (not shown in the drawing). The conveyor lines 3 carried by the booms 5 end at different distances from the longitudinal axis of the distribution machine at distribution elements 6, which are connected, for example, to a terminal bend of a respective conveyor line 3 and are designed as impact elements, e.g. in the form of impact plates or impact plates, in order to distribute the flow of distribution material emerging from the conveyor lines 3 into adjacently arranged surface areas on the ground.

[0026] As the Fig. 1 and in particular the Fig. 2, two blowers 7 are arranged in front of the front end wall of the storage container 2, viewed in the direction of travel F. These blowers serve to generate an air flow for transporting the material to be distributed, which is metered by means of the metering devices 10, through the conveying lines 3 and, for reasons of space, are arranged, for example, with their axis transverse to the direction of travel F. The pressure lines 8 of each blower 7 each have an outlet 8a assigned to each metering device 10 (cf. Fig. 2), which is connected upstream of a respective dosing element 10 to a respective Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 not visible air distributor, in order to distribute the compressed air to the number of delivery lines 3 assigned to each dosing device 10. Immediately downstream of each air distributor, each delivery line 3 has a transfer chamber 9 (see the Fig. 2) which is connected to an injector 33 comprising a nozzle 34 and a diffuser 35 (see the Fig. 8 to 10) and into which the dosed distribution material is transferred from the respective dosing device 10.

[0027] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the pneumatic distribution machine in the area of two of its metering elements 10, each of which has a rotatably driven metering roller 11 for metering the material to be distributed, which, depending on the type of material to be distributed, can be designed, for example, in the manner of a cam roller, a cellular wheel roller or the like. Each metering element 10 supplies a plurality of conveyor lines 3 and comprises a metering housing 12, in which the metering roller 11, which is driven rotatably about an axis of rotation that is approximately horizontal in the present case, is mounted and which is arranged below a respective outlet opening of the storage container 2 (see above) and is able to guide the material to be distributed up to the surface of the metering roller 11. For this purpose, the metering housing 12 of a respective metering element 10 has, on the one hand, a connecting element 13 that communicates with a respective outlet opening of the storage container 2, e.g.a dosing inlet 13 arranged directly below a respective outlet opening, which, for example, comprises an inlet funnel 14. On the other hand, the dosing housing 12 of a respective dosing element 10 has one or more dosing outlets 15 arranged downstream of the dosing inlet 13, as viewed in the direction of rotation of the dosing roller 101 (cf. in particular FIG. Fig. 3 ff), which each communicate with one or more - here two - transfer chambers 9 of a respective conveyor line 3 and are in turn arranged, for example, directly above the same. In addition, a respective metering element 10 can be equipped, for example, with a cover 16, which extends at least over the metering outlet 15 up to - again viewed in the direction of rotation of the metering roller 11 - the inlet funnel 14 of the metering inlet 13. The metering elements 10 can, for example, each comprise a single, controlled or regulated rotationally driven metering roller 11, or they can, in particular, each be equipped with a metering roller 11, which has a plurality of independently controlled or regulated rotationally driven metering wheel segments, wherein a respective metering wheel segment can, for example, supply a single or a pair of transfer chambers 9 in order to ensure very fine section control (cf.see WO 2018 / 219489 A1 cited at the beginning).

[0028] In the Fig. 3 to 13 schematically depict various views of some conveying lines 3 of the pneumatic distribution machine, which are guided in essentially parallel tube bundles, in the region of their transfer chambers 9. As can be seen therefrom, the transfer chambers 9 are each provided with a base section 17 on a bottom-side circumferential section of the corresponding conveying lines 3, wherein the base sections 17 of a respective transfer chamber 9 are pivotable about a common pivot axis S arranged essentially perpendicular to the direction of extension of a respective conveying line 3 - i.e. essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the material to be distributed and approximately horizontally - between a closed position, in which the respective base section 17 closes the respective transfer chamber 9 (cf. Fig. 3 to 5 and 9), and an opening position in which the respective base section 17 releases an opening cross-section of a respective transfer chamber 9 and is arranged outside the respective opening cross-section (cf. the Fig. 6 to 8, 11 and 12). The pivotable floor sections 17 preferably extend over at least approximately 180° of the floor-side circumference of a respective transfer chamber 9, so that when carrying out calibration tests, when the pivotable floor sections 17 are in their open position according to the Fig. 6 to 8, 11 and 12, it is ensured that no portions of the metered distribution material reach the interior of the transfer chambers 9 and are retained. The pivotable base sections 17 can furthermore be expediently equipped with a circumferential seal 18 each, which in the closed position of the base sections 17 according to the Fig. 3 to 5 and 9 against the stationary upper section of a respective transfer chamber 9 to the sealing system (see in particular in the detailed view of the Fig. 10 and in the exploded view of the Fig. 13, there the cut-out floor section 17 on the left). In the present embodiment, the common pivot axis S of the pivotable floor sections 17 of the transfer chambers 9 is formed by a shaft 19 arranged below the conveyor lines 3 or their transfer chambers 9, which shaft 19 can, for example, be designed in one piece or composed of a plurality of coaxial shaft stubs. The shaft 19 forming the common pivot axis S of the floor sections 17 can be mounted below a respective transfer chamber 9 or - as in the present case - mounted in a rotationally fixed manner, with a respective pivotable floor section 17 being mounted on the shaft 19.

[0029] As can be seen from the Fig. 8 to 10, the transfer chambers 9 are expediently equipped with injectors 33, each of which has a nozzle 34 with an inner cross-section tapering in the conveying direction of the material to be distributed, and a diffuser 35 with an inner cross-section widening in the conveying direction of the material to be distributed. The nozzle 34 and the diffuser 35 of a respective injector 33 are, in the present embodiment, detachably fastened, such as screwed, to a respective pivotable base section 17 of a respective transfer chamber 9, so that the injector 33 is pivoted completely out of the transfer chamber 9 when the pivotable base section 17 is in its open position according to the Fig. 8, whereas the injector 33 is automatically arranged in its intended position inside the transfer chamber 9 when the pivotable bottom section 17 is in its closed position according to the Fig. 9 is located.

[0030] In order to jointly actuate the pivotable base sections 17 of the transfer chambers 9, which are arranged downstream of a respective dosing element 10, and to pivot them jointly between their closed position and their open position, the pivotable base sections 17 of the transfer chambers 9 are connected to one another in the illustrated embodiment by means of a connecting shaft 20 which is arranged substantially parallel to the common pivot axis S of the base sections 17 and at a radial distance therefrom and which is mounted, for example, in aligned bores of the pivotable base sections 19 of the transfer chambers 9 (cf. in particular the Fig. 13) and pivoting movements of the base sections 17 are synchronized in order to be able to open and close the opening cross-sections of the transfer chambers 9 together. On the connecting shaft 20 of the pivoting base sections 17, a Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 13 recognizable locking device 21 is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner in order to hold the Fig. 3 to 5 and 9 by turning the connecting shaft 20. The locking device 21 comprises in the present case one or more hooks 22, which can be moved by turning the connecting shaft 20 in the direction of the arrows P of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 can be brought into or out of engagement with one or more complementary engagement means 23, such as in the form of a pin or the like cooperating with the hook, arranged stationary on the outside of one or more transfer chambers 9 or on the frame of the distribution machine. For the rotationally fixed fastening of the hook 22 of the locking device 21 on the connecting shaft 21, the latter can, for example, have a non-circular outer cross-section, e.g. in the form of a polygonal profile, wherein the non-circular outer cross-section of the connecting shaft 20 engages in a bore with a complementary, non-circular inner cross-section of the hook 22 seated on the connecting shaft 20 (cf. in particular the Fig. 13).

[0031] In the embodiment shown, a handle 24 - here essentially in the form of a lever 25 - is also fastened in a rotationally fixed manner to the connecting shaft 20 of the pivotable base sections 17 of the transfer chambers 9, which can be achieved, for example, by the lever 25 of the handle 24 corresponding to the hook 22 of the locking device 21 having a bore with a non-circular inner cross-section complementary to the non-circular outer cross-section of the connecting shaft 20, with which the connecting shaft 20 is in engagement (cf. again in particular the Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 13). The particularly in the Fig. 3, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 recognizable handle 24 serves on the one hand for the simple manual joint pivoting of the floor sections 17 of the transfer chambers 9 between their closed position and their open position, and on the other hand for the simple manual joint locking or releasing of the hooks 22 of the locking device 21 when the pivotable floor sections 17 are in their closed position according to the Fig. 3 to 5 and 9 by moving the lever 23 of the handle 24 according to the arrows P of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is rotated in the circumferential direction of the connecting shaft 20. The handle 22 can also be assigned a quick-release fastener 26 in order to lock it in the closed position of the pivotable bottom sections 17 of the transfer chambers 9 according to the Fig. 3 to 5 and 9, wherein the quick-release fastener 26 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a push button 27, upon actuation of which the handle 22 can be moved, otherwise a movement of the handle 22 is blocked (cf. in particular the Fig. 13). In terms of construction, this can be ensured, for example, by the push button 27, which is preloaded mechanically, e.g. by means of a spring (not shown in the drawing), in particular in the blocking position, being connected to a locking body 28, which, in the blocked state of the quick-release fastener 26, is connected to a locking structure 29 complementary thereto on the outside of a transfer chamber 9 or on the frame of the distribution machine (cf. Fig. 3, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 and 11 and 12) is engaged, whereas the locking body 28 of the quick-release fastener 26 can be disengaged from the locking structure 29 when the push button 27 is pressed in order to be able to move the handle 22 both rotationally (to release or lock the locking device 21) and translationally (to open or close the pivotable base sections 27).

[0032] As in particular the Fig. 4 to 7, 12 and 13, the pivotable floor sections 17 of the transfer chambers 9 are each assigned a locking device 36, which is used to hold the pivotable floor sections 17 in their open position according to the Fig. 6 to 8, 11 and 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, the locking device 36 comprises an elastically flexible locking element made, for example, from rubber, silicone or other elastomers in the manner of an elastic molded body, which can be brought into engagement with an approximately lever-shaped extension 37 of a respective pivotable base section 17 of the transfer chambers 9, the extension extending with a radial extension component away from the pivot axis S, when the pivotable base section 17 is in its open position. In this way, the pivotable base sections 19 in their open position are locked in their open position during calibration tests, without there being a risk of them being inadvertently pivoted at least partially back towards their closed position.

[0033] As particularly in the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, a holding device 30 is arranged below the opening cross-sections of the transfer chambers 9, which can be closed by means of a respective pivotable floor section 17. This holding device is designed to releasably hold a calibration sample collection container A that can be introduced into a construction space below the pivotable floor sections 17 when the pivotable floor sections 17 are in their open position. The holding device 30 comprises, for example, two parallel guide rails 31 arranged at opposite ends of the opening cross-sections of the transfer chambers 9 that are released by the pivotable floor sections 17 in their open position and extend approximately parallel to the common pivot axis S of the floor sections 17 and to their connecting shaft 20, which guide rails are designed, on the one hand, to support the calibration sample collection container A and to insert and push it out into the construction space below the pivotable floor sections 17 (cf.the . Fig. 11 and Fig. 12). The corresponding calibration sample collection container A thus comprises two supporting and guiding structures 32 complementary to the guide rails 31 of the holding device 30. 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] WO 2015 / 120982 A1

[0003] WO 2018 / 219489 A1 [0004, 0027]

Claims

[1] Pneumatic distribution machine, comprising - at least one storage container (2) for receiving distribution material with at least one outlet opening; - at least one metering device (10) arranged downstream of the outlet opening of the storage container (2); - a plurality of transfer chambers (9) arranged downstream of the dosing element (10) for transferring distribution material dosed by means of the dosing element (10) into a plurality of conveying lines (3), which are arranged substantially parallel to one another in the region of a respective upper chamber (9); - at least one fan (7) for supplying the conveying lines (3) with an air stream; and - at least one distribution element (6) arranged downstream of a respective conveying line (3), characterized byin that a respective base section (17) of a respective transfer chamber (9) can be pivoted about a common pivot axis (S) arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of a respective conveyor line (3) between a closed position, in which the respective base section (17) closes the respective transfer chamber (9), and an open position, in which the respective base section (17) releases an opening cross-section of a respective transfer chamber (9) and is arranged outside the respective opening cross-section. [2] Distributor according to claim 1, characterized by that the common pivot axis (S) of the bottom sections (17) of the transfer chambers (9) is formed by a shaft (19) arranged below the conveyor lines (3). [3] Distributor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the transfer chambers (9) are equipped with injectors (33), each having a nozzle (34) and / or a diffuser (35), wherein the nozzle (34) and / or the diffuser (35) of a respective injector (33) are fastened in particular to the respective pivotable bottom section (17) of a respective transfer chamber (9). [4] Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the pivotable bottom sections (17) of at least some, in particular all, transfer chambers (9), which are arranged downstream of a respective dosing element (10), can be actuated jointly in order to pivot them jointly between their closed position and their open position. [5] Distributor according to claim 4, characterized bythat the pivotable base sections (17) of the transfer chambers (9) are connected to one another by means of a connecting shaft (20) arranged substantially parallel to the common pivot axis (S) of the base sections (17) and at a radial distance therefrom. [6] Distributor according to claim 5, characterized by that a locking device (21) is fixedly mounted on the connecting shaft (20) of the pivotable base sections (17) of the transfer chambers (9) in a rotationally fixed manner in order to jointly lock or release the pivotable base sections (17) in their closed position by rotating the connecting shaft (20). [7] Distributor according to claim 6, characterized bythat the locking device (21) has at least one hook (22) which is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner to the connecting shaft (20) of the pivotable base sections (17) and which can be brought into or out of engagement with at least one complementary, stationary engagement means (23) by rotating the connecting shaft (20). [8] Distributor according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that a handle (24), in particular in the form of a lever (25), is arranged on the connecting shaft (20) of the pivotable base sections (17) of the transfer chambers (9) in order to pivot the pivotable base sections (17) together between their closed position and their open position. [9] Distributor according to claim 8, characterized bythat the handle (24) is fixedly connected to the connecting shaft (20) of the pivotable base sections (17) of the transfer chambers (9) in a rotationally fixed manner, in order to jointly lock or release the pivotable base sections (17) in their closed position by rotating the handle (24) and thus the locking device (21) which is connected to the connecting shaft (20) in a rotationally fixed manner. [10] Distributor according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the handle (24) is assigned a quick-release fastener (26) in order to block or release the handle (24) at least in the closed position of the pivotable bottom sections (17) of the transfer chambers (9). [11] Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the pivotable floor sections (17) of the transfer chambers (9) are assigned at least one locking device (36) which is designed to hold the pivotable floor sections (17) in their open position. [12] Distributor according to claim 11, characterized by that the locking device (36) has at least one, in particular elastically flexible, locking element which can be brought into engagement with an extension (37) of a respective pivotable base section (17) of the transfer chambers (9) when the pivotable base section (17) is in the open position. [13] Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that a holding device (30) is arranged below the opening cross-sections of the transfer chambers (9) which can be closed by means of a respective pivotable base section (17), which holding device is designed to releasably hold a calibration sample collecting container (A) which can be introduced into a construction space below the pivotable base sections (17). [14] Distributor according to claim 13, characterized bythat the holding device (30) comprises at least one, in particular two, guide rails (31) which extend or extend substantially parallel to the common pivot axis (S) of the pivotable floor sections (17) of the transfer chambers (9), wherein the guide rail (31) is designed to carry the calibration sample collection container (A) and to insert and remove the same into or from the installation space below the pivotable floor sections (17).

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