METHOD FOR NON-CONTACT COLLECTION OF GRANULAR MATERIAL INSIDE AN AGRICULTURAL SPREADER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for the contact-free detection of granular material according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to an agricultural spreading machine for spreading granular material according to patent claim 3.

[0002] A corresponding process is known from the documents US 4 307 390 A or US 5 650 609 A.

[0003] In the field of agriculture, a variety of different types of distribution machines are known for spreading granular material, particularly seed and / or fertilizer. These include pneumatic and / or mechanical seed drills as well as precision seed drills, which are suitable for depositing the granular material on agricultural land. Such distribution machines also have at least one storage hopper and at least one conveyor line, through which the granular material can be delivered to at least one downstream spreading device as needed or in adjustable quantities.

[0004] Within distribution machines of this type, electronic devices for material detection, particularly grain detection, are increasingly being used. These devices are arranged along a conveying and / or dosing section of the distribution machines. Such electronic devices allow, among other things, the quantity, in particular the number, and / or spacing of the dispensed and / or deposited granular material, especially of the individual grains, to be recorded and / or determined with comparative precision.

[0005] Such an electronic device for detecting granular material, in particular seed and / or fertilizer, is described, for example, in DE 20 2004 003 702 A1. The electronic device described here comprises at least one conveying line that is at least partially round in cross-section, through which the granular material can be conveyed in adjustable quantities and in a conveying direction by means of pressure differential and / or gravity. The electronic device further comprises at least one sensor device that is configured to detect the granular material, in particular in the form of isolated grains, in a contact-free manner within a measuring chamber of the sensor device arranged along the conveying line.

[0006] In practice, however, it has been found that the precision and / or reliability of such electronic devices is affected with increasing operating time. This can be caused, for example, by contact of the granular material with the electronic device, particularly the sensor devices, and / or by contamination in the measuring chamber.

[0007] In order to reduce the particularly negative influence of granular material, particularly individual grains, and / or contaminants on the electronic device, particularly the sensor device, electronic devices for detecting granular material have become known, as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,533,458 A. Accordingly, an edge or a shoulder arranged in the region of the measuring chamber, particularly in the conveying direction immediately in front of the measuring chamber, is known, by means of which the granular material and / or the contaminants are guided at least partially past the measuring chamber, particularly the sensor device, during discharge.

[0008] However, it has been shown that with increasing operating time, even with electronic devices designed in this way, sufficient reliability and / or precision in the detection of the granular material is no longer achieved. One of the problems here is the enlarged area, particularly in the conveying direction immediately behind the edge or the step. Due in particular to a sharp transition, the enlarged area of ​​the cross-section is, at least in sections, not significantly flowed through by the air carried in the granular material and / or the air flow resulting from the pressure difference. This creates a type of flow separation and / or a dead zone within which contaminants, in particular very fine particles, can continue to accumulate and influence the electronic device, in particular the sensor device.

[0009] The object underlying the invention is therefore to design an electronic device for detecting granular material within an agricultural spreading machine in such a way that the operational reliability of such electronic devices is further improved using particularly simple means and / or the precision and / or reliability of the detection is at least largely maintained over increasing operating time. In particular, the disadvantages of the described prior art are to be at least partially eliminated.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0011] In the following, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the term "solids" refers to material conveyed by the electronic device, in particular the conveying line, in the form of granular material to be applied, in particular seed and / or fertilizer, and / or contaminants, in particular dust and / or dirt particles. Furthermore, this can also be understood to include liquids conveyed or transported by the electronic device, in particular the conveying line, for example in the form of water particles, and / or dressing, in particular seed dressing.

[0012] As a result of a preferred measure, both the air or air flow and the solids can be deflected in the conveying direction upstream of the measuring chamber, in particular directly upstream of the sensor device. The multiphase flow resulting from the solids and the air within the electronic device is thus deflected within the transition at least partially, preferably directly, upstream of the measuring chamber, towards a center point of a radius of curvature of the curved section of the conveying line. In particular, the multiphase flow in the region of an inner wall of the conveying line is influenced in this process. In other words, the trajectory of the solids and / or the air is changed in a direction away from the inner wall. By means of such an embodiment, it is thus achieved that both the solids and the air are deflected towards the interior, in particular towards a center of the conveying line cross-section.Accumulations of solids in the area of ​​the measuring chamber, especially the sensor device, are thus at least almost impossible.

[0013] The conveying line is preferably oval in shape, at least in sections, upstream of the transition in the conveying direction. This oval design offers decisive advantages in guiding the multiphase flow, particularly of the solids, which surprisingly results in a "calming" of the multiphase flow, particularly of the conveyed solids. In a downstream section, particularly within which the measuring chamber is located, the cross-section of the conveying line is at least almost round. The essentially round shape allows for particularly simple and precise alignment of the sensor device, in particular of individual sensor elements assigned to one another, which is particularly advantageous for reliable and / or precise detection of the granular material.

[0014] The sensor device is particularly preferably designed in the manner of an optical sensor, in particular an infrared or radar sensor, and is configured to detect the granular material, in particular in the form of isolated grains, in a contact-free or non-contact manner. Furthermore, in a preferred sensor device designed in the manner of an infrared sensor, a plurality of sensor elements, which are in particular designed in the manner of light-emitting diodes, are arranged in a manner associated with one another and / or aligned in the circumferential direction around the conveyor line.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the device, an outer and inner inner wall of the conveyor line has an unequal radius of curvature in the region of the transition, in particular at the transition. The inner wall of the conveyor line is formed by the inner surfaces or walls of the conveyor line that can be brought into contact with the multiphase flow, in particular with the solids. The outer inner wall is arranged on a side of the conveyor line facing away from a center point of the radius of curvature, while the inner inner wall is consequently arranged on a side of the conveyor line facing the center point of the radius of curvature. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the outer inner wall is smaller than the radius of curvature of the inner inner wall. Alternatively or additionally, the radius of curvature can also be at least almost the same, with the respective centers of the radii of curvature being offset from one another.In such an embodiment, the center of the radius of curvature of the outer inner wall is offset toward the conveyor line. As a result, the curvature of the outer inner wall is more pronounced than that of the inner inner wall, at least within the transition. The inner inner wall is preferably substantially linear, in particular curvature-free, in the region of the transition, while the outer inner wall forms a type of, in particular curved, ramp toward the interior of the conveyor line. In other words, the conveyor line, in particular the outer inner wall, forms a type of overshoot in the conveying direction upstream of the measuring chamber, in particular the sensor device.As a result, a transverse flow is created which is directed with respect to the actual conveying direction of the granular material and which is designed to convey and / or redirect the solids and / or the air at least partially towards an interior of the conveying line, in particular the cross-section.

[0016] In a further development of the device, the transition is designed to be at least almost step-like or seamless. In particular, the transition from the at least substantially oval to the round cross-section of the conveyor line is designed to be at least almost step-like and / or seamless. In other words, the transition, in particular the area of ​​the conveyor line immediately upstream of the measuring chamber and / or the sensor device, is designed to be at least almost free of edges and / or steps. As a result of this embodiment, the entrained and / or conveyed air flows through at least almost the entire cross-section in the area of ​​the sensor device and / or the measuring chamber, whereby accumulations or adhesions of solids in the area of ​​the sensor device and / or the measuring chamber are at least almost ruled out.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the device, the cross-section tapers in the conveying direction at the transition. The transition is preferably designed like a nozzle. This results in an at least local acceleration or jet effect of the entrained and / or conveyed air in the region of the transition. The resulting particularly high velocities of the air and / or solids achieve a kind of self-cleaning effect of the inner walls and / or the sensor device.

[0018] In another development of the device, the conveyor line has at least one section adjoining the, in particular curved, transition and at least partially linear, in particular curvature-free, path, wherein the measuring chamber is preferably arranged within the linear, in particular curvature-free path. The linear section is particularly preferably at least almost completely round. The sensor device can thus be particularly well attached to the preferably particularly short, linear or at least almost curvature-free section of the conveyor line. In particular, the majority of the mutually assigned and / or aligned sensor elements can thus be attached to the conveyor line particularly easily. The reliability and / or precision of the material and / or grain detection is thus increased in a particularly simple manner.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the device, at least one first flattened portion is formed on the conveying line, in particular on the inner and / or outer inner wall, along the at least one oval and / or round cross section. The at least partially circular and / or circular-arc-shaped geometry of the conveying line, in particular of the cross section, has at least one linear, in particular at least almost non-curved, wall when viewed in cross section. Such flattened portions and / or cross sections represent a particularly aerodynamic shape for the conveyed air and / or solids. Particularly preferably, at least one second flattened portion is formed on the conveying line, in particular on the inner and / or outer inner wall, opposite the at least one first flattened portion. The at least one second flattened portion is preferably mirror-symmetrical to the at least one first flattened portion.Such an embodiment achieves a particularly low-fluctuation and / or "calmed" conveyance of the air and / or solids, in particular of the granular material.

[0020] Furthermore, a device is preferred in which the device, in particular the conveyor line, is at least partially made of an at least virtually wear-resistant, in particular metallic, material upstream of the measuring chamber in the conveying direction. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the conveyor line is made of the at least virtually wear-resistant material, preferably metal, at an inlet opening and / or at the curved section of the conveyor line. Alternatively, a glass fiber reinforced and / or at least partially coated plastic material is also conceivable. In particular, contact with the solids places particularly high stress on the areas of the inlet opening and / or the curved section of the conveyor line, whereby this preferred embodiment achieves a particularly high level of operational reliability compared to conventional embodiments.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, the at least almost wear-resistant material can also be arranged at least partially on the outside of the conveyor line, in particular in the manner of an insert at the inlet opening. The wear-resistant material is preferably connected to the conveyor line in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and / or material-fitting manner, with an at least partially glued-in variant being particularly preferred. Due to the wear-resistant material arranged at least partially on the outside, the impact resistance of the conveyor line in this area is increased, in particular against external influences, thereby achieving even greater operational reliability of the electronic device.

[0022] The object underlying the invention is achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset. Here, the granular material, in particular seed and / or fertilizer, is conveyed by means of a pressure difference, in particular a pressure difference that can be generated, and / or by means of gravity through an electronic device having at least one sensor device. The granular material, in particular the individual grains, is detected by means of the at least one sensor device, wherein the sensor device is designed to generate a sensor signal depending on the detected material and on the basis of a sensitivity that can be set for the sensor device. Subsequently, on the basis of the sensor signal, an actual frequency at which the granular material passes through the electronic device, in particular the sensor device, is determined.

[0023] The method according to the invention is characterized in that the determined actual frequency is compared with a retrievable and / or predeterminable target frequency at which the granular material is conveyed through the electronic device. Furthermore, a deviation between the actual frequency and the target frequency is determined. Subsequently, the sensor signal and / or the sensitivity are adjusted until a predeterminable acceptance range for the deviation is reached. With such an embodiment, signal changes caused by accumulations of solid matter, in particular contamination, in the area of ​​the electronic device, in particular the sensor device, are at least partially, preferably at least almost completely, compensated.

[0024] According to the invention, the sensor signal and / or the sensitivity are adjusted automatically or automatically by a control and / or regulation system assigned to the electronic device and / or the distribution machine.

[0025] The sensitivity represents a, in particular, minimum, measure, or threshold, signal level or signal deflection of the sensor signal at which a granular material passing by the sensor device is detected by the electronic device, in particular the sensor device. Thus, with high sensitivity, comparatively low signal levels or deflections are sufficient to detect granular material, in particular individual grains, whereas with low sensitivity, comparatively high signal levels or deflections are necessary to detect granular material.

[0026] The method according to the invention is preferably carried out within a regular, in particular daily and / or annual, calibration process. Alternatively or additionally, such a calibration process can also be carried out during an interruption of the application process and / or before the start of application. The target frequency is preferably determined and / or specified based on at least one ambient condition, the granular material to be applied and / or the operating state of the distribution machine. Alternatively or additionally, the target frequency is determined and / or adjusted within a model test. In such a model test, the target frequency can be determined and / or determined using model or test materials, such as steel, wooden bodies or the like, instead of the material to be applied. Furthermore, the target frequency is determined and / or retrieved based on at least one stored function curve.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sensor signal is adjusted by means of a variably controllable electronic signal amplification. Depending on the material detected and the signal level subsequently generated by the electronic device, in particular the sensor device, the sensor signal is automatically increased or decreased accordingly until the actual frequency at least nearly reaches the target frequency, in particular within the acceptance range. The signal amplification is preferably designed in the manner of an electronic "magnifying glass," which can be adjusted in particular in steps. The signal level or signal deflection of the sensor signal, generated in particular by the sensor device, is lower at a low signal amplification or level than at a high signal amplification or level.Thus, the actual signal level or deflection of the sensor signal generated due to a detected material can be increased many times over, especially depending on the set level.

[0028] For the method according to the invention, an adjustable electrical power supply is provided for the at least one sensor device, wherein the brightness of a light source assigned to the sensor device for detecting the granular material is adjustable depending on the power supply. The light source can alternatively or additionally be part of a sensor element embodied as a light-emitting diode.

[0029] In the method according to the invention, the electrical power supply is automatically increased or decreased until the acceptance range for the deviation is reached. In particular, darkening of the measuring space due to accumulations of solids in the area of ​​the sensor device, in particular the light source, is thus compensated for by increasing the power supply, in particular the electrical power, of the at least one light source. A sensor signal that changes compared to an initial state of the sensor signal with increasing operating time, in particular due to contamination, can thus be adapted towards the initial state by changing the power supply. Preferably, if the degree of contamination of the sensor device is high or increasing, the power supply, in particular the electrical power, for the sensor device, in particular the light source, is increased.

[0030] In a particularly preferred development of the method according to the invention, the electronic device is designed according to at least one of the aforementioned embodiments of the electronic device according to the invention for detecting the granular material within the agricultural distribution machine.

[0031] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by an agricultural distribution machine, in particular a seed drill, of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the distribution machine, in particular a control and / or regulating system assigned to the distribution machine, is designed to carry out the method according to the invention according to at least one of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the distribution machine according to the invention, the electronic device for detecting the granular material is designed according to at least one of the aforementioned embodiments of the electronic device for detecting the granular material.

[0033] Further details of the invention can be found in the example description and the drawings. The drawings show Fig. 1 shows an agricultural distribution machine according to the invention with sowing units arranged side by side in a perspective view from the rear; Fig. 2A shows a sectional view from the side of a sowing unit with a metering device; Fig. 2B shows the metering device from Fig.2A with an electronic device according to the invention in an enlarged sectional view; Fig.3A an enlarged schematic sectional view of the electronic device from the Fig.2B ; Fig.3B enlarged section of the electronic device from Fig.3A ; Fig.3C a cross-section of a conveyor line of the electronic device in section II; Fig.3D cross-section of the conveyor line in section II-II; Fig.3E another schematic sectional view of the electronic device from the Fig.3A ; and Fig.4 shows a method according to the invention for detecting granular material in a schematic flow diagram.

[0034] An agricultural distribution machine 10 designed as a trailed seed drill, in particular a precision seed drill, for spreading granular material G, in particular seed and / or fertilizer, is described in the Fig.1 shown. The distribution machine 10 has at least one storage unit 11 and a frame oriented horizontally transversely to the direction of travel F. Several sowing units 20 are attached to the frame by means of support elements.

[0035] Each sowing unit 20 has a storage container 22 for storing the granular or particulate material G to be spread. The lower region of the storage container 22 is designed as an outlet area in which at least one outlet opening is arranged. The material G to be spread is fed via the outlet opening to a metering device 30 designed as a singulating device, which is arranged below the storage container 22.

[0036] The dosing device 30, in an enlarged sectional view in Fig.2A can be seen, is designed in the manner of an overpressure singulation device and is configured to dose the feedable material G as needed and / or in adjustable quantities, in particular in the form of isolated grains. For this purpose, a singulation element 31 which can be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation and is in particular at least partially rotationally symmetrical is arranged within the dosing device 30. The singulation element 31 is at least partially designed as a circular disk. As an alternative to the embodiment shown, the singulation element 31 can also be at least partially designed like a drum or cylinder. Furthermore, the dosing device 30 can alternatively also be designed as a vacuum singulation device. Furthermore, it is alternatively or additionally conceivable that the granular material G can be conveyed at least partially by gravity from the storage container 31 and / or through the dosing device 30.

[0037] The granular material G is transported and / or carried at least partially in a rotational direction by the singulating element 31 and dispensed and / or transferred to an electronic device 40 arranged downstream of and / or on the metering device 30. The granular material G is then conveyed by the electronic device 40 and transferred to a spreading member 21 at a defined position. The spreading member 21 comprises furrow-opening elements 210 designed as disc coulters, depth-guiding elements 211, and devices 212 for closing a furrow.

[0038] The Fig.2B The electronic device 40 shown in more detail is designed as an opto-transmitter and is configured to detect the material G conveyed by the agricultural distribution machine 10. The electronic device 40 comprises at least one conveying line 41, which is at least partially round in cross-section, through which the granular material G is conveyed, in particular depending on the embodiment of the dosing device 30, by means of a pressure difference and / or gravity. Furthermore, the electronic device 40 comprises at least one sensor device 50 configured to detect the granular material G, in particular in the form of isolated grains, in a contact-free manner within a measuring chamber 51 of the sensor device 50 arranged along the conveying line 41.

[0039] As in the Fig.3A As can be seen better, the conveying line 41 is curved at least in sections. The conveying line 41 further comprises a transition 42 which is changed in a conveying direction R from a substantially oval cross-section I to an at least almost round cross-section II, as can be seen in particular in the Fig.3C und 3D The transition 42 is arranged upstream of the measuring chamber 51, in particular directly, and is designed to at least partially redirect the air L, shown here schematically by means of streamlines, and / or the granular material G to the inner 412 of the conveying line 41.

[0040] In addition to the air L and / or the granular material G, contaminants conveyed within the conveyor line, for example in the form of dust particles, liquids, and / or pickling agents, are also diverted. An accumulation of such contaminants within the measuring chamber 51, in particular the sensor device 50, is thus at least virtually eliminated.

[0041] The transition 42 is formed at least almost step-like or seamless and tapers at the transition 42 in the conveying direction R. An enlarged section of the conveying line 41, in which the transition 42 and the measuring chamber 51 can be seen particularly well, is shown in the Fig.3B shown.

[0042] Furthermore, the conveying line 41 has at least one course adjoining the, in particular curved, transition 42 and which is at least partially linear or at least almost uncurved, wherein the measuring space 51 is arranged in particular within the linear course.

[0043] The conveyor line 41 is formed from at least one outer and inner inner wall 410, 411. The outer and inner inner walls 410, 411 of the conveyor line 41 have an unequal radius of curvature R1, R2 in the region of the transition 42, in particular at the transition 42, as shown in the Fig.3E can be clearly seen. The outer inner wall 410 is arranged on a side of the conveyor line 41 facing away from a center point M1, M2 of the radius of curvature R1, R2, while the inner inner wall 411 is consequently arranged on a side of the conveyor line 41 facing the center point M1, M2 of the radius of curvature R1, R2. The radius of curvature R1 of the outer inner wall 410 is smaller than the radius of curvature R2 of the inner inner wall 411. Alternatively or additionally, the radii of curvature R1, R2 can also be at least almost identical, with the respective centers M1, M2 of the radii of curvature R1, R2 being offset from one another. In the embodiment shown, the center point M1 of the radius of curvature R1 of the outer inner wall 410 is offset towards the conveyor line 41. As a result, the curvature of the outer inner wall 410 is more pronounced than that of the inner inner wall 411, at least within the transition 42.The inner inner wall 411 is essentially linear, in particular at least almost curvature-free, in the region of the transition 42, while the outer inner wall 410 forms a type of, in particular curved, ramp to the inner 412 of the conveying line 412. In other words, the conveying line 41 forms a type of overshoot in the conveying direction R upstream of the measuring chamber 51, in particular of the sensor device 50. This results in a transverse flow directed with respect to the actual conveying direction R of the granular material G, which is designed to convey and / or redirect the granular material G and / or the air L at least partially toward the inner 412 of the conveying line 41, in particular the cross-section.

[0044] Furthermore, at least one first flattened portion 413, 414 is formed on the conveying line 41, in particular on the inner and / or outer inner wall 410, 411, along the at least one oval and / or round cross section I, II. The at least partially circular and / or circular-arc-shaped geometry of the conveying line 41, in particular of the oval cross section I, has at least one linear, in particular at least almost non-curved, wall when viewed in cross-section. Such flattened portions and / or cross sections represent a particularly aerodynamically favorable shape for the conveyed air L and / or the granular material G. In the exemplary embodiment shown, at least one second flattened portion 414 is formed on the conveying line 41, in particular on the inner and / or outer inner wall 410, 411, opposite the at least one first flattened portion 413.The at least one second flattened portion 414 is mirror-symmetrical to the at least one first flattened portion 413. Such an embodiment achieves a particularly low-fluctuation conveyance of the air L and / or the granular material G.

[0045] Furthermore, the electronic device 40, in particular the conveying line 41, is formed at least partially from an at least virtually wear-resistant, in particular metallic, material upstream of the measuring chamber 51 in the conveying direction R. In the exemplary embodiment shown, at least one metallic insert 44 is arranged for this purpose at an inlet opening 43, in particular at which the granular material G is transferred from the separating element 31 to the electronic device 40 and / or the conveying line 41. The metallic insert 44 is designed to be at least virtually wear-resistant and / or impact-resistant compared to the material of the conveying line 41. As an alternative to the embodiment shown, the electronic device 40, in particular the conveying line 41, can be formed and / or coated at least partially from wear-resistant material in the region of the curved section, in particular in the region of the transition 42.

[0046] Furthermore, the sensor device 50 shown in the exemplary embodiment is designed in the manner of an optical sensor and configured to detect the granular material G, in particular in the form of isolated grains, in a contact-free or non-contact manner. The sensor device 50 comprises a plurality of sensor elements 52 arranged on the circumference of the conveying line 41, in particular in the region of the measuring chamber 51 and / or immediately behind the transition 42. The sensor elements 52 are designed in the manner of light-emitting diodes and are at least partially assigned and / or aligned to one another. Alternatively, other types of contactless sensors, for example radar sensors, are also conceivable, in particular via radar and / or light waves.

[0047] The granular material G is processed according to the embodiment shown and the schematically illustrated flow diagram in Fig.4 according to the method described below. The method is initiated by the following step: 100) Conveying the granular material G by means of pressure difference and / or gravity through the electronic device 40 with the at least one sensor device 50.

[0048] After the granular material G passes the sensor device 50, in particular the plurality of mutually associated and / or aligned sensor elements 52, the following step is carried out: 101) Detecting the granular material G by means of the at least one sensor device 50.

[0049] The sensor device 50 is further configured to generate a sensor signal depending on the detected material G and based on a sensitivity that can be set for the sensor device 50. The sensor signal is transmitted via an electronic signal line 53 to a control and / or regulating system 200 associated with the electronic device 40 and / or the agricultural distribution machine 10.

[0050] After the sensor signal has been transmitted to the control and / or regulation system 200, the following step is carried out: 102) Determining an actual frequency with which the granular material G passes the electronic device 40, in particular the sensor device 50, on the basis of the sensor signal.

[0051] Once the actual frequency has been determined, the following steps are carried out according to the invention: 110) Comparing the determined actual frequency with a retrievable and / or predeterminable target frequency at which the granular material G is conveyed through the electronic device 40; and 111) Determining a deviation between the actual frequency and the target frequency.

[0052] As soon as a deviation is detected that is not within a retrievable and / or preset acceptance range, the following step is carried out: 120) Automatic adjustment of the sensor signal and / or the sensitivity until the preset acceptance range for the deviation is reached.

[0053] According to the invention, this step can be supplemented by adjusting the sensor signal using a variably adjustable electronic signal amplifier. The functionality of the electronic signal amplifier corresponds to a type of electronic, in particular stepwise adjustable, magnifying glass. Thus, the signal level of the sensor signal generated as a result of the detected granular material G can be corrected and / or adjusted accordingly, so that the determined actual frequency is changed toward the target frequency.

[0054] In an additional step 121), an adaptable electrical power supply is provided to the sensor device 50, in particular to the sensor elements 52. The sensor device 50, in particular at least one sensor element 52, is designed in the manner of a light source. In an alternative embodiment, an alternative and / or additional light source can also be assigned to the sensor device 50. The light source generates a brightness within the conveyor line 41, in particular within the measuring chamber 51, which serves to detect the granular material G by the sensor device 50. The brightness is adaptable depending on the power supply, wherein the determination of the actual frequency is influenced by the brightness. The electrical power supply is thus automatically increased or decreased accordingly until the acceptance range for the deviation is reached.

[0055] The described steps are carried out in particular within a regular calibration process of the electronic device 40, preferably at least partially automated by the control and / or regulation system 200. The calibration process can be carried out, for example, annually, daily, or during an interruption of the application process. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable for the calibration process of the electronic device 40 to take place at least almost simultaneously and / or simultaneously with the application.

[0056] It is understood that the features mentioned in the previously described embodiments are not limited to these specific combinations and are also possible in any other combinations. Furthermore, it is understood that the geometries shown in the figures are merely exemplary and are also possible in any other configurations. Bezugszeichenliste

[0057] 10Agricultural distribution machine 11Storage 20Sowing unit 21Spraying device 210Furrow opening elements 211Depth control elements 212Device for closing a furrow 22Storage container 30Dosing device 31Separating element 40Electronic device 41Feed line 410Outer inner wall 411Inner inner wall 412Interior of the feed line 413First flattening 414Second flattening 42Transition 43Inlet opening 44Metallic insert 50Sensor device 51Measuring chamber 52Sensor elements 53Signal line 200Control and / or regulating system FDirection of travel Ggranular material Ioval cross-section IIcircular cross-section LAir flow M1, M2Center of the radius of curvature RConveying direction R1, R2Radius of curvature

Claims

1. Method for contact-free detection of granular material (G) within an agricultural distribution machine (10), comprising the steps of: - conveying the granular material (G) by means of pressure difference and / or gravity through an electronic appliance (40) which has at least one sensor device (50); - detecting the granular material (G) by means of the at least one sensor device (50); the sensor device (50) being designed to generate a sensor signal depending on the detected material (G) and on the basis of a sensitivity which can be adjusted for the sensor device (50); - determining an actual frequency at which the granular material (G) passes through the electronic appliance (40), in particular the sensor device (50), on the basis of the sensor signal, - comparing the determined actual frequency with a retrievable and / or predeterminable target frequency at which the granular material (G) is conveyed through the electronic appliance (40); - determining a deviation between the actual frequency and the target frequency; - automatically or automatedly adjusting the sensor signal and / or the sensitivity until a predeterminable acceptance range for the deviation is reached; the sensor signal and / or the sensitivity being adjusted by a control and / or regulation system (200) assigned to the electronic appliance (40) and / or to the distribution machine (10); characterized by the step of: - providing an adjustable electrical power supply for the at least one sensor device (50), a brightness of a light source assigned to the sensor device (50), for detecting the granular material (G), being adjustable depending on the power supply; the electrical power supply automatically increasing or decreasing until the acceptance range for the deviation is reached.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor signal is adjusted by means of variably regulatable electronic signal amplification.

3. Agricultural distribution machine (10), in particular a precision seed drill, for spreading granular material (G), in particular seed and / or fertilizer, comprising an electronic appliance (40), for detecting granular material (G) according to any of the preceding claims 1 or 2, and an associated control and / or regulation system (200) according to any of the preceding claims 1 or 2, wherein the control and / or regulation system (200) is designed to carry out the method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 or 2.