DOSING DEVICE FOR AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a metering device for an agricultural machine for the application of granular solids.

[0002] Granular solids, such as seeds or fertilizer, are typically transported from a storage container to one or more dispensing units by means of a conveying system. Mechanical or, more commonly, pneumatic conveying systems are used for this purpose. These systems use a blower to transport the granular solids from the storage container, for example, via a distribution device and a number of connected lines, to the respective dispensing units. The feed of granular solids from the storage container into the conveying system is controlled by a metering device. Such conveying systems are known from EP 3 384 748 A1, US 2019 / 297773 A1, EP 2 152 615 B1, US 9 801 330 B2, and US 2005 / 263052 A1.

[0003] Furthermore, EP 1570716 A2 discloses a generic agricultural machine with a metering device for distributing a granular solid. This machine for distributing a granular solid has a metering device with one or more interchangeable rotary valves. The rotary valves are arranged in a housing. Each rotary valve located in the housing can be removed axially from the housing through a lateral opening after removing a bearing plate. The metering of the solid to be applied is achieved solely via the rotary valve, whereby a change in the amount to be applied is only possible by adjusting the rotational speed of the rotary valves and by using different rotary valves. However, this requires an interruption of the work process and a complex procedure each time.

[0004] Disassembly of the existing rotary valve and subsequent installation of a new rotary valve is required.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a metering device for an agricultural machine which enables cost-effective manufacturing, improved adjustability and assembly of the metering device.

[0006] The problem is solved by a metering device according to the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] A metering device for an agricultural machine for dispensing granular solids from at least one storage container to at least one dispensing unit by means of a conveying system, in particular a pneumatic system, comprises a metering housing, wherein the metering housing has at least one mounting flange on the storage container side and / or on the conveying system side, as well as at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for the granular solid. According to the invention, the at least one mounting flange is designed as a polygon or circular shape.

[0008] The dosing housing is connected to the storage container or the conveying system, in particular a connecting line of the conveying system, via at least one mounting flange. The mounting flange, which is polygonal, can have three or more than four corners along its circumference. The corners can be arranged evenly or unevenly around the circumference of the mounting flange. This allows the dosing housing to be mounted in a stepwise rotation, thus making advantageous use of the available installation space.

[0009] For example, adjacent dosing devices can be rotated relative to each other and thus positioned closer together laterally, reducing the required installation space per dosing device in the lateral direction. A circular mounting flange allows for stepless alignment of the dosing housing relative to a storage container or conveying system, such as connecting lines. This has the advantage of making even better use of the available installation space.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one inlet opening and / or the at least one outlet opening are arranged within a mounting flange. An inlet opening and / or outlet opening can be located inside or outside the mounting flange. It is conceivable that several openings can be arranged inside or at least partially inside the mounting flange, thus allowing for a high degree of flexibility in utilizing the available installation space. The mounting flange encloses the respective opening or openings on the outside. This allows the mounting flange to have a large diameter, enabling stable and reliable mounting of the dosing device.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a second mounting flange is provided opposite the first mounting flange, which is designed as a polygon or circular shape. A second mounting flange allows for the arrangement of a mounting flange on both the reservoir side and the conveying system side, thus enabling optimal alignment of the dosing device and / or the conveying system, for example, relative to the reservoir. The second mounting flange, in the form of a polygon, can have three or more than four corners along its circumference. The corners can be arranged evenly or unevenly around the circumference of the mounting flange. This allows the dosing housing to be mounted in stages, rotating it as needed, thereby making advantageous use of the available installation space.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the mounting flange is designed such that it can be mounted by means of a fastening element, in particular one that encircles the mounting flange. The mounting flange can, for example, form a radially outwardly extending, in particular circumferential, projection. This projection can be formed at least partially by the metering housing, the storage container, and / or the conveying system. The fastening element can partially or completely encompass this projection along its circumference and be designed to be detachable. A fastening element can be in the form of a clip, which can be arranged along the circumference, or a clamp, in particular annular or polygonal.The mounting flange, the cantilever and / or the fastening device can be designed in the form of a conical flange and / or a conical clamp, which allows for self-centering and / or clamping during assembly, thus simplifying the process.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening means is designed in the form of a quick-release fastener. A quick-release fastener can be at least partially adapted to the contour of the mounting flange and designed in the form of a quick-release clip or a quick-release clamp.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the metering housing forms an internal metering chamber, wherein a conveying device rotating about an axis of rotation is arranged between the metering chamber and the conveying system, the conveying device separating the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening, in particular in a pressure-tight manner. The metering chamber has a chamber opening, particularly on its bottom side, which is directly adjacent to the conveying device mounted in the metering housing, and through which the granular solid can enter the conveying device by means of conveying elements. The cross-section of the chamber opening effective for the inlet of the granular solid into the conveying device can be adjusted by a rotary valve, and in particular by an opening of the rotary valve. This allows the quantity of granular solid flowing into the conveying device to be controlled.The rotating conveying device allows the amount of granular solid material to be introduced into the conveying system to be metered according to the rotation. A pressure-tight design is particularly advantageous in a pneumatic conveying system to pressure-wise separate the storage hopper area from the conveying system area and prevent mutual interference.

[0015] The dosing housing is a multi-part design, consisting of two essentially mirror-image and / or identical sub-bodies. This multi-part design optimizes manufacturing and assembly. Particularly in dosing housings comprised of multiple sub-bodies, such as a first and a second, identical components—meaning mirror-image or identical sub-bodies—manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, modifications to expand the functionality of the dosing housing can be easily implemented by replacing a sub-body.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a parting plane of the dispensing housing components is arranged substantially at an angle to the axis of rotation. The parting plane, which is located in a contact surface between the components, can, for example, be arranged substantially parallel or perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Any other angle with respect to the axis of rotation is also conceivable, for example, substantially 30° or 45°. By suitable arrangement of the parting plane, for example, substantially parallel or perpendicular to the axis of rotation, wherein the parting plane runs, in particular, centrally through threads arranged on the dispensing housing, the components can be manufactured, for example, as components, especially as injection-molded components or formed parts, which can be produced cost-effectively using structurally simple molds without or without slides or undercuts.Furthermore, the components could be designed with draft angles, which would mean fewer or no ejectors are needed from the molds, thus further reducing manufacturing costs.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the metering housing has at least one drain opening, which is arranged, in particular, in the parting line of the metering housing components. The at least one drain opening can be arranged between the conveying device and the inlet opening and can thus connect the interior of the metering housing to the environment, for example, to facilitate simplified emptying of the metering housing by allowing the granular or powdery solid to drain through the drain opening. The drain opening can protrude from the metering housing and have a thread or other positive-locking elements for receiving a drain plug as a closure. The thread can, for example, be designed as an external or internal thread.The drain opening can be arranged in the parting plane of the dosing housing components, with the thread being arranged equally in the parting plane, which allows it to be formed cost-effectively during manufacturing.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the metering device, the metering housing forms a metering chamber, and at least one, in particular detachable, separating element is arranged within the metering chamber. The metering chamber can be arranged between the inlet opening and the conveying device to supply the solid to the conveying device. The separating element can divide the metering chamber into two sections into which different solids can be introduced and supplied to the conveying device. By means of sliding or limiting elements, in particular a rotary slide, solid can be supplied to the conveying device from, for example, a first sub-chamber and / or a second sub-chamber, depending on the orientation of the separating element, the solids can be conveyed by all or some of the metering elements.The separating element can be mounted in the sub-bodies of the dosing housing and arranged essentially parallel or at an angle, particularly a right angle, to the axis of rotation. The separating element can be formed in one piece or in multiple parts, particularly partially integrally within a sub-body. The separating element allows one or more solids to be fed to the conveying device without requiring time-consuming reconfiguration or cleaning of the dosing unit.

[0019] Preferably, in a further embodiment of the invention, the metering housing has an additional outlet opening and / or a bypass opening on the conveying system side of the conveying device. The additional outlet opening can be arranged between the conveying device and the conveying system, for example, to allow the connection of the metering device to an additional connecting line.

[0020] This allows a granular solid to be metered into another or a second granular solid into a separate connecting line. The bypass opening can be arranged and configured in the metering housing, particularly on the conveying device, such that a granular solid is conveyed out of the metering housing by the conveying device without entering the conveying system. The bypass opening can extend from the metering housing to the surrounding environment, particularly via a mounting flange. For example, a calibration test can be performed through the bypass opening to verify the metered quantity of granular solid. Furthermore, it allows the metering device to be emptied without any granular solid entering the conveying system. The first outlet opening, the second outlet opening, and / or the bypass opening can be opened or closed by a slide valve, particularly a rotary valve.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a separating device is provided on the conveying system side of the conveying unit. The separating device can be arranged, particularly on the conveying system side, between outlet openings on the conveying unit and enables the separate metering of granular solids. The separating device can be designed as a planar element and arranged within at least one connecting line, extending as far as the conveying unit. The separating device can isolate the at least one outlet opening and / or bypass opening to ensure uninterrupted conveying of the solids. The separating device can be arranged within a connecting line to create separate conveying paths.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one driveable agitator shaft is arranged within the metering chamber, particularly on the side facing the storage container. The agitator shaft can rotate about an agitation axis to loosen the solid material in the metering chamber and improve metering. The agitator shaft can be arranged parallel to the axis of rotation and, in particular, can be mounted in a section of the metering housing. Preferably, the agitator shaft is driven together with the conveying device or the metering elements, particularly via a belt, chain, or gear drive. A gear drive allows the adjustment of a transmission ratio between the metering element and the agitator shaft to positively influence the agitation intensity.

[0023] The invention further relates to an agricultural machine for spreading granular solids with a conveying system, in particular a pneumatic system, for conveying the granular solids from a storage container to a number of dispensing units with at least one metering device, which is designed and further developed as above.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the agricultural machine, at least one metering device is associated with one or more dispensing units and / or distribution devices. These can be designed, for example, in the form of shares or so-called star distributors.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments.

[0026] The figures show: Figure 1 shows an agricultural machine with a metering device according to the invention in a schematic side view; Figure 2 shows a perspective schematic view of a metering device; Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of a metering device with a separating element; Figure 4 shows a perspective schematic view of a first rotary valve; Figure 5 shows a perspective schematic view of the conveying device; Figure 6 shows a perspective side view of a metering device with a separating device; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the first rotary valve, which is arranged coaxially within a second rotary valve; and Figure 8 shows a perspective schematic view of the second rotary valve with an alternatively configured edge.

[0027] In Figure 1Figure 12 shows an agricultural machine in the form of a seed drill in a schematic side view. A storage container 14 holds at least one granular or powdered solid, for example in the form of seed and / or fertilizer. The granular solid is conveyed by means of a mechanical or pneumatic conveying system 18 to at least one dispensing unit 16, where the granular solid can be introduced into the soil, for example by means of seed coulters. Fig. 1The conveying system 18 shown is a pneumatic conveying system in which the granular solid is conveyed in the conveying direction 42 through at least one connecting line 40 to at least one dispensing unit 16 by means of an airflow generated by a blower 38. For this purpose, the granular solid is conveyed through a connecting line 40 to at least one distribution device 44, in which a substantially uniform distribution of the granular solid occurs in a distribution chamber 46 onto a number of distribution openings 48 and the lines 50 connected thereto. The granular solid is then conveyed through the lines 50 to the dispensing units 16. The dispensing units 16 can, for example, be seed coulters. The granular solid can be moved by the airflow at flow velocities of up to 30 m / s.

[0028] The granular solid is conveyed from the storage container 14 into the conveying system 18 by means of a metering device 10, whereby the quantity of conveyed solid is precisely metered. The metering device 10 is arranged between the storage container 14 and the conveying system 18, wherein in the Figure 1In the agricultural machine 12 shown, the granular solid is fed to the metering device 10 from the storage container 14 primarily by gravity. For feeding the granular solid, the metering device 10 has a metering housing 20 with at least one inlet opening 24 on the storage container side. The metered granular solid is discharged into the conveying system 18 through at least one outlet opening 26 located on the conveying system side of the metering housing 20. The metering housing 20 has mounting flanges 22, 52 for attachment to the storage container 14 and / or the conveying system 18 on the storage container side and / or the conveying system side.

[0029] According to the invention, the first mounting flange 22 on the storage container side and the second mounting flange 52 on the conveying system side are circular. A polygonal configuration, particularly with three or more than four corners, would also be conceivable. This allows the metering device 10 to be rotated relative to the storage container 14 and / or the conveying system 18, particularly incrementally or continuously. To control the dispensing quantity of the metering device 10, the agricultural machine 12 has at least one sensor 112 connected to an evaluation electronics unit 114 on the dispensing unit side of the metering device 10. This sensor detects a metered quantity of the granular solid and, in particular, allows the conveying system 32 to be controlled based on the detected quantity of the granular solid.

[0030] A perspective, schematic view of a dosing device 10 is shown in Figure 2The metering device 10 is shown not connected to the storage container at its upper side, allowing a view through the inlet opening 24 into the interior of the metering housing 20 and the metering chamber 28 formed within it. The inlet opening 24 is located within and enclosed by the circular first mounting flange 22 of the metering housing 20. At its base, the metering housing 20 has a second mounting flange 52, which is also circular. The second mounting flange 52 surrounds the first outlet opening 26 located inside, through which the granular solid enters the conveying system 18 and the connecting line 40. The second mounting flange 52 is detachably connected to the conveying system 18 by means of a quick-release fastener 54 that wraps around the mounting flange 52.

[0031] The metering housing 20 has a first drain opening 62 and a second drain opening 64 opposite the first, through which the granular solid can be drained from the metering housing 20, for example, to empty the metering chamber 28. The drain openings 62 and 64 are closed by means of a drain plug 66 in the form of a screw-on cap. The drain openings 62 and 64 are arranged in a parting plane 56 of the multi-part metering housing 20. The metering housing 20 is designed as a two-part housing and has a first sub-body 58 and a second sub-body 60. The sub-bodies 58 and 60 have the same, in particular identical, shape, which reduces manufacturing costs. By arranging the drain opening 62, 64 in the parting plane 56, these can be formed cost-effectively and without expensive molds with an external thread for receiving a drain plug 66.Furthermore, the sub-bodies 58, 60 can be secured against relative movement to each other at their parting plane 56 by the drain plugs 66.

[0032] Within the metering housing 20, a conveying device 32, rotatable about a rotary axis 30, is arranged between the at least one inlet opening 24 and the at least one outlet opening 26 on the bottom side of the metering chamber 28. The conveying device 32 has a number of conveying elements 78 in the form of rotary wheels, which are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction along the rotary axis 30. When the conveying device 32 rotates, granular solid is conveyed from the metering chamber 28 through the at least one outlet opening 26 into the conveying system 18. The metering of the granular solid depends on the mounted conveying elements 78 and the rotational speed of the conveying device 32. The conveying elements 78 can be uniform or different in design, or offset from each other at a pitch angle. Furthermore, the metering is influenced by the quantity of granular solid supplied to the conveying device 32.For this purpose, the conveying device 32 has at least one first rotary valve 34 with at least one first opening 36 for controlling the inflow of the granular solid into the conveying device 32. Control of the outlet of the granular solid from the conveying device 32 is also conceivable. The first rotary valve 34 can be adjusted by means of an actuator 80, either motor-driven or, as shown, by means of a manually operated lever.

[0033] The conveying device 32 is driven by a motor, for example an electric drive motor 68, which rotates about a rotational axis 70. The rotational axis 70 of the drive motor 68 is arranged coaxially with the rotational axis 30 of the conveying device 32, thus enabling efficient, lateral force-free drive of the conveying device 32. On the side of the metering housing 20 opposite the drive motor 68, a drive for the agitator shaft 74 is arranged, which is rotatably mounted in the metering housing 20 about an agitator axis 76. The agitator shaft 76 is operatively connected to the rotational axis 30 via a connecting element 72, so that a rotational movement of the rotational axis 30 results in a rotational movement of the agitator shaft 76. The term "shaft" also refers to the respective shaft as a mechanical component. The connecting element 72 can be in the form of one or more gear wheels or, as in Figure 2The system is depicted as being designed in the form of a belt drive. Furthermore, the connecting element 72 allows for a transmission ratio between the rotational speeds of the rotary axis 30 and the stirring axis 76.

[0034] The conveying elements 78 of the conveying device 32 can be axially slid onto the rotary axis 30, in particular into the first rotary slide 34. The conveying device 32 can be locked to the metering device 20 or a rotary slide 34 by means of a bayonet fitting 104, which is attached to or integrally formed on the outside of the metering housing 20. In a bayonet fitting, at least one, preferably several, radially projecting positive locking elements are positioned axially relative to each other on the respective components to be connected and secured against loosening by twisting them against each other.

[0035] A schematic top view of a dosing device 10 with a separating element 82 arranged inside the dosing chamber is shown in Figure 3The two-part metering housing 20 has a parting line 56 between the first part 58 and the second part 60. Within the metering chamber 28, the separating element 82 is arranged in the parting line 56, essentially dividing the metering chamber 28 into two equally sized sub-chambers. This allows a different granular solid to be metered into each sub-chamber, for example, supplied through its own inlet opening 24. The separating element 82 can divide the inlet opening 24 into two inlet openings. Due to the arrangement and design of the first and second outlet openings 62, 64 in the parting line 56, the outlet openings 62, 64 are also divided by the separating element 82, thus enabling separate discharge of the granular solid from the sub-chambers. The stirring shaft 74 penetrates the separating element 82, so that the solid can be loosened on both sides of the separating element 82.By appropriately designing the first opening 36 of the first rotary valve 36, separate or joint dosing of the granular solid from the sub-chambers is possible.

[0036] The first rotary valve is in Figure 4The rotary valve 34 is shown in detail. It is essentially formed as a pipe section with a first opening 36 cut out of its outer surface. When the rotary valve 34 rotates, the cross-section of an opening on the conveying device side of the metering chamber can be enlarged or reduced by means of the outer surface of the rotary valve, in particular by means of the at least first opening 36, thereby controlling the feed of granular solid into the conveying device. The first opening 36 has two edges 86 parallel to the axis of rotation in the axial direction, which allows for a substantially unimpeded flow of granular solid into the conveying device. Opposite the first opening 36, a second opening 84 is arranged in the outer surface of the first rotary valve 34. In the assembled state of the rotary valve 34, the second opening 84 is associated with at least one outlet opening.The second opening 84 has at least one profiled edge 88 along the axis of rotation, the profile being in a serrated form. This profiled edge 88 prevents a pulsating discharge of metered, granular solid material at the outlet.

[0037] The first rotary valve 34 has a receiving opening 92 for receiving conveying elements. Opposite the receiving opening 92, the first rotary valve 34 is at least partially closed by an end wall 94, which also serves as a stop for the received conveying elements. The end wall 94 extends radially beyond the circumference of the rotary valve 34 ( Figure 5) and has a manually operated actuator 80 on the outside for adjusting the first rotary valve 34. Radially on the outside, circumferential slots and further openings are also arranged, which serve for attaching the drive motor 68 to the first rotary valve 34 and / or for attaching and rotating the rotary valve 34 to the metering housing 20 ( Fig. 2 The drive motor 68 is arranged with its axis of rotation 70 coaxially to the axis of rotation 30 of the conveying device 32. The conveying elements 78 are arranged inside the first rotary slide 34 as in a cassette and are held on the side of the receiving opening 92 by a partially U-shaped cover, which is connected to the metering housing 20 as a bayonet fitting and can be locked by a rotational movement about the axis of rotation 30.

[0038] The in Figure 6The metering device 10 shown has a separating device 106 on the conveying system side, which separates the first outlet opening 26 from a second outlet opening 108 of the metering housing 20. This enables targeted metering of a granular solid into the first and / or second outlet opening 26, 108 on the conveying system side. The separating device 106 extends from the conveying unit 32 into the conveying system 18 and the connecting line 40, thereby dividing the connecting line 40 internally by the separating device 106 and assigning a portion to each outlet opening 26, 108. Furthermore, the metering device 10 has a bypass opening 110 in the metering housing 20, which is arranged on one side of the conveying unit 32 opposite the metering chamber 28.The bypass opening is located next to the outlet openings 26, 108 in the metering housing 20 and allows granular solid material to be conveyed out of the metering chamber 28 by the conveying device 32, for example into the environment, to carry out a calibration test or to empty the metering chamber 28.

[0039] The first outlet opening 26, the second outlet opening 108 and / or the bypass opening 110 can be controlled by means of a further, for example a second, rotary valve 98, which is located in Figure 7The second rotary valve 98 is arranged coaxially and radially adjacent to, in particular in contact with, the first rotary valve 34. The first rotary valve 34 is located inside the second rotary valve 98. The first rotary valve 34 has the first opening 36 with at least one edge 86 parallel to the axis of rotation for controlling the quantity of granular solid fed into the conveying device 32. The metered solid is discharged smoothly into the at least one outlet opening (not shown) via the second opening 84 with the profiled edge 88. The second rotary valve 98 controls, for example, whether the metered granular solid is discharged into the first outlet opening, the second outlet opening, and / or the bypass opening. For this purpose, the second rotary valve 98 has a third opening 100 on the inlet side, which allows an essentially unimpeded inflow of the solid, independent of the rotational position.Opposite the third opening 100, a fourth opening 102 is formed in the outer surface of the second rotary valve 98. The fourth opening 102 can also have edges parallel to the axis of rotation (not shown) and serves to control the discharge of the metered solid into the selected opening. The third opening 100 has a larger cross-section than the fourth opening 102, since the third opening 100 is intended to ensure an unimpeded flow of granular solid into the conveying device in every position of the fourth opening 102.

[0040] An alternatively designed form of the second rotary valve 98 is in Figure 8The third opening 100 on the inlet side of the second rotary valve 98 has a stepped edge 90 along the axis of rotation. This results in the circumferential surface of the second rotary valve 98 being cut out to varying degrees in the axial direction. This allows, for example, for a separation element 82 ( Fig. 3 The divided dosing chamber allows for the simultaneous or selective feeding of granular solid material from the respective sub-chambers into the conveying device. The quantity of granular solid material fed into the conveying device can be further controlled by the first rotary valve 34 and its first opening 36.

[0041] A further rotary valve can be provided coaxially and radially spaced from the first and / or second rotary valve 34, 98 within the metering housing 20. This further rotary valve can be tubular in design, wherein, for example, only a portion of its outer surface is formed and / or arranged within the metering housing 20, in particular the metering chamber 28.

[0042] The additional rotary valve can be positioned with a section of its outer surface between the conveying device 32 and the at least one agitator shaft 74. This allows the additional rotary valve to reduce the pressure of the granular solid on the conveying device 32, thereby preventing blockages in the metering chamber 28 and improving the feed of the granular solid to the conveying device 32. Reference sign 10 Dosing device 62 first drainage opening 12 agricultural machine 64 second drain opening 14 Storage container 66 Drain plug 16 Delivery unit 68 drive motor 18 Funding system 70 axis of rotation 20 Dosing housing 72 Connecting element 22 first mounting flange 74 Stirring wave 24 Inlet opening 76 Stirring shaft 26 outlet opening 78 Conveyor element 28 Dosing chamber 80 actuator 30 axis of rotation 82 Separating element 32 Funding institution 84 second opening 34 first rotary valve 86 edge parallel to axis of rotation 36 first opening 88 profiled edge 38 fan 90 stepped edge 40 Connection line 92 opening 42 Direction of flow 94 Front wall 44 Distribution device 96 slot 46 Distribution chamber 98 second rotary valve 48 Distribution opening 100 third opening 50 Line 102 fourth opening 52 second mounting flange 104 bayonet fitting 54 Fasteners 106 Separating device 56 Separation plane 108 second outlet opening 58 first subbody 110 Bypass opening 60 second subbody 112 sensor 114 Evaluation electronics

Claims

1. A metering device (10) for an agricultural machine (12) for outputting granular solids from at least one storage container (14) to at least one dispensing unit (16) by means of a, in particular pneumatic, conveyor system (18), having a metering housing (20), wherein the metering housing (20) comprises at least one mounting flange (22, 52) on the storage container side and / or on the conveyor system side as well as at least one inflow opening (24) and at least one discharge opening (26, 108) for the granular solid, wherein at least one mounting flange (22, 52 ) is formed as a polygon or circular, characterised in that the metering housing (20) is formed in multiple parts and out of two, in particular, substantially mirrored and / or identically shaped sub-bodies (58, 60).

2. The metering device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the at least one inflow opening (24) and / or the at least one discharge opening (26, 108) is arranged within a mounting flange (22, 52).

3. The metering device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a second mounting flange (52) located opposite the first mounting flange (22) is provided, which is formed as a polygon or circular.

4. The metering device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting flange (22, 52) is formed in such a manner that the same can be mounted by way of a fastening means (54), which in particular wraps around the mounting flange (22, 52).

5. The metering device according to claim 4, characterised in that the fastening means (54) is designed in the form of a quick release closure.

6. The metering device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metering housing (20) forms a metering chamber (28) on the inside, wherein between metering chamber (28) and the conveyor system (18), a conveyor device (32) rotating about a rotary axis (30) is arranged, wherein the conveyor device (32) separates the at least one inflow opening (24) and the at least one discharge opening (26), in particular in a pressure-tight manner.

7. The metering device according to claim 6, characterised in that a separating plane (56) of the sub-bodies (58, 60) of the metering housing (20) is substantially arranged at an angle to the rotary axis (30).

8. The metering device according to claim 7, characterised in that the metering housing (20) comprises at least one drain opening (62) which is arranged in particular in the separating plane (56) of the sub-bodies (58, 60) of the metering housing (20).

9. The metering device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metering housing (20) forms a metering chamber (28) and at least one, in particular detachable, separating element (82) is arranged within the metering chamber (28).

10. The metering device according to any one of the claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the metering housing (20) comprises a further discharge opening (108) and / or a bypass opening (110) on the conveyor system-side of the conveyor device (32).

11. The metering device according to any one of the claims 6 to 8 or 10, characterised in that a separating device (106) is provided on the conveyor system-side of the conveyor device (32).

12. The metering device according to any one of the claims 6 or 9, characterised in that within the metering chamber (28), in particular on the storage containerside, at least one driveable agitator shaft (74) is arranged.

13. An agricultural machine for outputting granular solids having, in particular, a pneumatic conveyor system (18) for conveying the granular solids out of a storage container (14) to a number of dispensing units (16) with at least one metering device (10) according to any one of the Claims 1 to 12.

14. The agricultural machine according to Claim 13, characterised in that the at least one metering device (10) is assigned one or multiple dispensing units (16) and / or distribution devices (44).