METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR APPLYING MULTI-GRAIN DOSAGE QUANTITIES OF A GRANULE-LIKE MATERIAL BY MEANS OF AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE AND SPREADING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for applying multi-granular doses of a granular material by means of an agricultural machine and a distribution machine. background

[0002] Agricultural machinery can be equipped to apply various granular materials, such as seeds or fertilizer. The material to be applied is regularly supplied to a tank or hopper in these machines. From there, it is fed to a metering device that dispenses the granular material in measured amounts for application to the field. For example, seed drills are known to use the metering device to separate seeds into individual seeds, allowing the machine to spread them onto the field. It is also possible to apply multiple seeds in a single metered dose. Fertilizer granules are typically applied as a continuous stream from the tank to the field.

[0003] Document EP 1 825 737 A1 discloses a system and a method for electronically pulsing a chemical with seed. The system and the method comprise a seed delivery tube configured for delivering seed, a granule tube configured for delivering chemicals, an electric valve configured to open so that chemical granules can be dispensed from the chemical granule tube, and a proximity sensor operationally coupled to the electric valve, the sensor being configured to detect seed being dispensed from the seed delivery tube. The system may also include a metering mechanism for controlling the amount of chemical dispensed with the seed. The metering mechanism is controlled by a radar unit on a tractor connected to the system, and the metering mechanism is programmed to dispense a predetermined amount of chemical with the seed.

[0004] Document DE 10 2010 017 127 A1 relates to a combined distribution machine consisting of a precision seeder with seed singulation devices and coulters, and a fertilizer distribution machine with fertilizer metering devices and associated fertilizer placement devices. The seeds singulated by the seed singulation devices can be deposited into the soil at approximately equal intervals by means of the coulters, and the fertilizer metered by the fertilizer metering devices can be placed in the soil at least near the seeds deposited in the soil via the fertilizer placement devices. The fertilizer metering devices supply the metered fertilizer to the fertilizer placement devices in such a way that the fertilizer application for each seed can be deposited in the soil in portions at intervals corresponding to each seed.

[0005] Document DE 10 2015 110 079 A1 discloses a method for applying fertilizer in potato cultivation, in which a fertilizer in liquid, gaseous, or solid form is applied to the area around seed tubers to be planted in potato ridges, beds, or similar soil features of agricultural land. A structure with one or more fertilization lines is created along the length of the potato rows. The concept provides that a fertilizer, variable at least in its composition, quantity, consistency, and / or distance from the seed tuber, is applied to the immediate vicinity of the seed tubers in a site-specific manner. The dispensing device for this purpose has a metering unit that can be connected to at least two storage containers, so that the fertilizer, which can be mixed from at least two fertilizers, can be transferred to the area of ​​the potato ridge via a divisible supply system.In this process, a computer-aided control unit is used to adjust the direct discharge of fertilizer(s), a specific mixture of fertilizers and / or a specific dosage of the fertilizer discharge taking place in fertilization lines, depending on the specific area.

[0006] Document US 3,653,550 A discloses a device for dispensing multi-granular doses of a granular material using an agricultural machine. Metered quantities of the granular material are successively introduced into a dispensing tube and each is ejected by means of a fluid stream. After such an dispensing process, the next metered quantity of the granular material is introduced into the dispensing line.

[0007] A similar working principle is described in document EP 0 266 722 A1, in which previously isolated seeds are placed one after the other in a spreading tube and ejected individually by means of a fluid flow.

[0008] Document EP 0 071 954 A1 discloses a device for singulating and depositing granular material, in particular seeds, which is funnel-shaped and tapers downwards. A bore, smaller than the smallest grain, is arranged at the lower funnel outlet. An airflow is directed into the funnel, blowing the excess grains out of the lower part of the funnel, except for one, which is held at the lower through-bore due to the pressure difference. A spreading jaw, which forms part of the funnel wall and is large enough that its opening allows even the largest grain to fall out when it spreads, serves to deposit the grains. The airflow into the funnel is introduced through a blowpipe. This blowpipe can be arranged to act as a barrier against falling grains. A slide, controlled by the movement of the spreading jaw, provides a barrier against falling grains when the spreading jaw is open.The slider can simultaneously actuate the spreading jaws. Summary

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a method and an arrangement for applying multi-granular doses of a granular material by means of an agricultural machine, as well as a distribution machine that enables improved application of the granular material.

[0010] To solve this problem, a method for applying multi-granular doses of a granular material using an agricultural machine is provided according to independent claim 1. Furthermore, an arrangement for applying multi-granular doses of a granular material to an agricultural machine is provided according to independent claim 9. In addition, a distribution machine is provided, which is, for example, configured as a seed drill. Further embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

[0011] With the aid of the metering device, individual, multi-granular doses are generated from the flow of granular material, such as fertilizer or seeds, from the tank to the metering device. These doses can then be applied in whole or in part at intervals, thus creating a discontinuous sequence of doses from the flow of granular material to the metering device. This makes it possible to apply multi-granular doses to the field at specific intervals, for example, into a furrow.

[0012] The supply of the granular material, whether in the form of a continuous or an interrupted (discontinuous) material flow, from the tank to the dosing device continues during the generation and dispensing of the multi-granular dosing quantities.

[0013] The dosing unit can be configured to dispense the multi-granular doses completely or only partially in a single dose. If any of the multi-granular dose remains in the dosing unit after a dose has been dispensed, this residue forms the initial quantity for a subsequent multi-granular dose.

[0014] The application of the doses provided at time intervals can be carried out via an application line of the application device, which can extend in a vertical direction, either at an angle of about 90° to the ground or obliquely to it, and has an outlet opening through which the granular material can be applied to the field.

[0015] The successive doses applied can be the same or different in terms of the amount of grain covered.

[0016] When feeding the granular material from the tank to the metering device, it can be transported solely by gravity. Alternatively, a supplementary airflow can be provided to accelerate the granular material towards the metering device.

[0017] The granular material is collected or accumulated in the collection unit for a predetermined period, after which the resulting multi-granular dose is dispensed. Depending on the feed rate of the granular material from the tank and the interval between successive openings of the collection unit, a predetermined amount of granular material is collected (dosed) for each multi-granular dose before dispensing.

[0018] The fluid flow can be provided by the opening device as a gas stream, for example, as an air stream, particularly in the form of time-spaced fluid flow pulses, each of which causes the outlet of the collecting device to open for a predetermined opening period, after which the collecting device (outlet) closes again and granular material is collected for the next multi-granular dose. The fluid flow can be provided according to a sequence of periodic opening pulses. In these or other embodiments, the collecting device can be arranged, for example, at the inlet or within a dispensing line through which the doses are applied to the field.The fluid flows or fluid pulses provided at time intervals lead to the discontinuous or pulsed dispensing of the multi-granular dosages / dosage quantities, which in turn were prepared by means of the inflow of the granular material from the tank.

[0019] It may be possible to generate the fluid flows opening the output with a repetition frequency that depends on the driving speed of the agricultural machine.

[0020] A fertilizer material can be provided in granular form, and separate multi-granular fertilizer application points can be created in the field. Pre-measured quantities of multi-granular fertilizer are then applied to the field at timed intervals.

[0021] The multi-seed fertilizer metering points can be created in the field, each assigned to a separately formed seedbed with one or more seeds. In this embodiment, the agricultural machine is equipped to apply both seed and the corresponding fertilizer. Separate tanks or reservoirs can be provided for this purpose, from which the respective materials are then applied separately. The application of a metered quantity of seeds (single seeds or multiple seeds) can be coordinated with the application of the fertilizer, so that in one embodiment, a metered quantity of fertilizer is applied for each metered quantity of seeds, for example, by placing both metered quantities at one and the same metering point or, optionally, at a defined distance from each other in the field.The temporal coordination of the operation of the metering and application devices for the seed on the one hand and the fertilizer material on the other can be achieved with the help of a control device, for example by providing temporally coordinated trigger impulses from the control device in order to carry out the metering and application of the respective dosage quantity in a coordinated manner.

[0022] The fluid flow can be fed to the outlet of the collecting device via a fluid supply line, which is arranged at least partially within a feed line through which the granular material from the tank is fed to the metering device. The granular material from the tank can surround the fluid supply line on one or more sides. The supplied granular material, for example, the continuous flow, then moves outside the outer surface of the fluid supply line.

[0023] To open the outlet of the collection device, a movable closure element is displaced. For example, the movable closure element can be positioned opposite an outlet of the fluid supply line, which is optionally equipped with a nozzle, so that the fluid flow, delivered at intervals, can "push" the movable closure element(s) open. The closure elements can be pre-tensioned against such displacement, so that they automatically return to their initial position after the fluid flow ceases, in which the outlet of the collection device is closed. Several closure elements can be provided, which together close the outlet of the collection device. The closure elements can, for example, have brush or membrane elements that are flexibly bendable, for example, in response to the fluid flow that opens the outlet of the collection device.The shut-off elements can be configured to open the outlet of the collecting device, at least in a central area, in response to the fluid flow. One or more shut-off elements can be inclined along a longitudinal direction of the discharge line coupled to the collecting device, for example, to form a funnel shape in which the multi-granular metering quantities are collected before being dispensed from the collecting device.

[0024] The collection unit can have dosing compartments for receiving individual doses of the multi-granular material. In one example, the multiple dosing compartments can be filled simultaneously by the flow of the granular material. The dosing compartments can be arranged in a dosing chamber of the dosing unit, into which the granular material is introduced and then distributed to the dosing compartments.

[0025] The dosing compartments can be arranged separately on a rotating component, such that each dosing compartment can be moved towards and away from the dispensing point by means of the rotating component. The rotating component can be formed with a rotary table or rotary valve on which the dosing compartments are formed, for example, on a flat side of the rotary table, which can be oriented essentially horizontally, with the dosing compartments arranged on a top surface. The dosing compartments can be open towards a distribution ramp onto which the flow of granular material from the tank falls, in order to introduce the granular material into the dosing compartments via the distribution ramp.

[0026] To dispense the multi-granular doses from the respective dosing compartment, a bottom opening of the dosing compartment can be at least partially overlapped with an opening of the collection unit's discharge, allowing the granular material of the multi-granular dose to pass through both openings into the discharge line. For this purpose, a closure device associated with the discharge opening can then be opened by means of the fluid flow supplied at intervals. The fluid flow (pulse) can be directed through the opening of the dosing compartment onto the closure device.

[0027] The dosages can be accelerated, at least in one section of a transport path within the dispensing device, for example, in a discharge line (such as a downpipe), by means of a controlled airflow. The controlled airflow assists the gravity-driven movement of the granular material along its transport path within the dispensing device, for example, in a discharge line or a discharge or downpipe. The controlled airflow can be formed solely or partially by the fluid flow that is applied at intervals to the outlet of the collection device to intermittently open it for the dispensing of the multi-granular dosage quantities.

[0028] The dosing unit can deliver the dosages at a frequency of at least 5 doses per second, preferably at a frequency of at least 20 doses per second (frequency in Hz). For example, application frequencies of up to approximately 30 Hz or up to approximately 40 Hz can be provided. The dosages can then be applied to the field at such a frequency. It may be possible to detect the driving speed of the agricultural machine during operation and adjust the application frequency accordingly, for example, applying a higher application frequency at higher speeds. The application frequency can also be adjusted to create different spacings between the dosing points in the field.

[0029] The embodiments described above in connection with the method can be provided accordingly in connection with the arrangement for dispensing multi-granular doses of the granular material for an agricultural machine. The same applies to the distribution machine with such an arrangement. Description of exemplary implementations

[0030] Further examples of implementation are explained in more detail below with reference to figures in a drawing. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an arrangement for dispensing multi-granular doses of a granular material for an agricultural machine; Fig. 2 a schematic perspective representation of another arrangement for dispensing multi-granular doses of a granular material for an agricultural machine; Fig. 3 a representation of the arrangement made of Fig. 2from above and Fig. 4 a schematic perspective representation of a field furrow with metering points separated or spaced apart from each other.

[0031] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement for dispensing multi-granular doses of a granular material, for example, a fertilizer, to an agricultural machine, in particular a spreading machine, such as a seed drill. A granular material 2 to be dispensed is provided in a tank or storage container 1. The granular material 2 is fed from the tank 1 to a metering device 3, for example, as a continuous flow. In the example shown, the guided granular material 2 reaches a collecting device 4, which is formed with closure elements 5, 6, so that the granular material 2 collects on the closure elements 5, 6, thereby providing a multi-granular dose.When a predefined multi-granular dose has been generated, an air pulse or burst is emitted via a fluid supply line 7 towards the closing elements 5, 6, thereby pushing them downwards to open a discharge 8 of the collecting unit 4 (not shown), so that the granular material 2 can be discharged downwards into a section of a spreading line 9, from where the dose thus discharged by the collecting unit 4 can be applied to the field. After the fluid air flow has ceased, the closing elements 5, 6 return to their initial position as shown. Fig. 1 The system returns to the closed position of the collection unit 4, allowing it to collect another multi-granular dose of the granular material 2. The fluid air stream is released at periodic intervals, resulting in discontinuous doses of the granular material 2, which are then applied to the field.

[0032] The sealing elements 5, 6 are formed, for example, with brushes or flexible membrane elements which return to their original position after the air blast has ended. Fig. 1 Move back to the closed position shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking elements 5, 6 are inclined downwards and form a funnel 10 in which the granular material 2 collects.

[0033] Using the arrangement in Fig. 1 The inflow of the granular material 2 from tank 1 is converted into a series of time-spaced and thus discontinuous doses of the granular material 2. This makes it possible, in the case of a seed drill configured to dispense both seeds and fertilizer in a metered manner, to deliver separate doses of the granular material 2 to the field for each individual seed, as exemplified in the schematic diagram in Fig. 4 shown.

[0034] The Figs. 2 and 3 Schematic representations of another arrangement for dispensing multi-granular doses of the granular material 2 for an agricultural machine are shown. The same reference symbols are used for identical features as in Fig. 1 used. In the example in the Figs. 2 and 3 The collecting device 4 is formed with a rotary table 20, on the top of which several dosing compartments 21 are formed, each opening towards a distribution ramp 22, so that the granular material 2 applied to the distribution ramp 22 (cf. Fig. 2The material enters the metering compartments 21. The rotary table 20 is rotated to align a bottom opening of the metering compartments 21 with an opening of the dispensing line 9, so that the multi-granular metering quantity received in the metering compartment 21 can be dispensed downwards through the dispensing line 9. For this purpose, an airflow pulse 23 is applied to the openings to open a closing device, as described above. Additionally, an airflow can be provided that flows into the dispensing line 9 and accelerates the granular material 2 towards the field.

[0035] The turntable is rotatably mounted in chamber 24.

[0036] Also with the help of the arrangement in the Figs. 2 and 3 For example, a fertilizer material 40 of the version in Fig. 4 The appropriate dosage is applied to one or more seeds 41 in the soil 42 in the field.

Claims

1. Method for distributing multi-grain doses of a granulate-like material by means of an agricultural machine, comprising - providing a granulate-like material (2) in a tank (1); - feeding the granulate-like material (2) from the tank (1) to a dosing device (3); - producing multi-grain dosing quantities of the granulate-like material (2) by means of the dosing device (3); - dispensing the multi-grain dosing quantities of the granulate-like material by means of the dosing device (3) to a distribution device (9), wherein the multi-grain dosing quantities are respectively partially or completely dispensed discontinuously as doses spaced apart in time; and - distributing the doses spaced apart in time by means of the distribution device (9), whereby separate multi-grain dosing points are produced on a field over which the agricultural machine moves; wherein the supplied granulate-like material (2) is collected in a collecting device (4) of the dosing device (3) for producing the multi-grain dosing quantities and an outlet of the collecting device (4) for discontinuously dispensing the doses at time intervals is subjected to a fluid flow and thereby opened in order to release the doses for distribution, wherein the feeding of the granulate-like material (2) from the tank (1) to the dosing device (3) continues during the producing and the dispensing of the multi-grain dosing quantities, characterised in that a displaceable closure element (5; 6) is displaced for opening the outlet of the collecting device (4).

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that a fertiliser material is provided as the granulate-like material (2) and separate multi-grain fertiliser dosing points (43) are produced on the field.

3. Method according to Claim 2, characterised in that the multi-grain fertiliser dosing points (43) on the field are respectively produced in association with a separately formed seed point (41) with one or more seeds.

4. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fluid flow is fed to the outlet via a fluid supply line (7), which is arranged in a feed line at least in sections, via which the granulate-like material (2) is fed from the tank (1) to the dosing device (3).

5. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the collecting device (4) has dosing compartments (21) for respectively accommodating one of the multi-grain dosing quantities.

6. Method according to Claim 5, characterised in that the dosing compartments (21) are arranged separately on a rotary component (20) in such a way that the dosing compartments (21) can be respectively displaced towards and away from the outlet by means of the rotary component (20).

7. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the doses are transported at an accelerated rate at least in one section of a transport path in the distribution device (9) by means of a controlled air flow.

8. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the doses are dispensed from the dosing device (3) at a frequency of at least 5 doses per second, preferably at a frequency of at least 20 doses per second.

9. Arrangement for distributing multi-grain doses of a granulate-like material for an agricultural machine, having - a tank (1), which is configured to accommodate a granulate-like material (2); - a dosing device (3); - a feeding device, which is configured to feed the granulate-like material (2) from the tank (1) to the dosing device (3); - a collecting device (4), which is comprised in the dosing device (3) and is configured to collect the supplied granulate-like material (2) for producing multi-grain dosing quantities; - an opening device, which is configured to subject an outlet of the dosing device (3) to a fluid flow at time intervals and thereby open it for discontinuously dispensing doses of the granulate-like material, wherein the multi-grain dosing quantities are respectively partially or completely dispensed discontinuously as doses spaced apart in time; and - a distribution device (9), which is configured to receive the doses spaced apart in time from the outlet of the dosing device (3) and to distribute them, whereby separate multi-grain dosing points can be produced on a field over which the agricultural machine moves; wherein the arrangement is configured to continue the feeding of the granulate-like material (2) from the tank (1) to a dosing device (3) during the producing and the dispensing of the multi-grain dosing quantities, characterised in that the opening device has a displaceable closure element (5; 6), which is displaced for opening the outlet of the collecting device (4).

10. Spreader, having an arrangement according to Claim 9.

11. Spreader according to Claim 10, which is designed as a seed drill.