Agricultural work machine and container for an agricultural work machine

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container for an agricultural working machine according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to an agricultural working machine according to the preamble of patent claim 8.

[0002] Such a container is described in the publication US 5 881 904 A and / or DE 10 2018 127 013 A1. The container is intended for storing agricultural distribution material, such as seeds and / or fertilizer, on agricultural machines, in this case of the type of seed drills, and comprises at least one covering means, in particular a lid, arranged or attachable to the container. The covering means, in particular the lid, is designed to be self-locking and closable by means of at least one quick-release fastener, in particular designed in the manner of a snap connection, and is in particular configured to open (unlock) and / or close an opening or filling opening of the container.

[0003] Such containers are also known in the agricultural field for work machines designed like field sprayers. Such containers can be suitable and / or intended for holding liquid distribution materials, such as pesticides, weed killers, or the like.

[0004] Agricultural practice has shown that the self-locking properties of such quick-release fasteners on containers, particularly on the covering elements, are not yet satisfactory in some operating situations. In particular, if the covering element or the lid with the container is tilted in a direction that is at least somewhat sideways or toward the ground, this can lead to the container opening unintentionally, causing, for example, stored material to be distributed unintentionally to escape from the container. Such malfunctions occur relatively frequently on agricultural machinery during so-called transport and / or headland positions.

[0005] The object underlying the invention is therefore to further improve the operational reliability of such containers. In particular, the object is to design the container in such a way that the covering means, in particular the lid, is particularly easy for a user to operate, and in particular to close.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by at least one locking mechanism which is arranged at least partially rotatably and / or displaceably between the quick-release fastener and the covering means, in particular the lid, and which can be positioned in a clampable and / or blocking manner between the quick-release fastener and the covering means, in particular the lid, for locking the covering means, in particular the lid.

[0007] As a result of this measure, a container for an agricultural work machine is created in which the quick-release fastener and the covering means are blocked and / or locked in relation to one another by the locking mechanism, in particular as needed and / or during a closed position, in a manner that is at least virtually immobile. The locking mechanism is preferably manually adjustable by the operator. The quick-release fastener is preferably designed such that the container, in particular an opening of the container, is closed during normal operation, such as during the distribution of distribution material, by the self-locking feature of the quick-release fastener. In situations in which the container is inclined or tilted, the container, in particular the covering means, is alternatively or additionally closed by means of the locking mechanism.In other words, the covering means is held in the closed position by the locking mechanism, alternatively or additionally, while the container is tilted or inclined. Furthermore, it can additionally be provided that the covering means is also closed by the locking mechanism during normal operation, for example, when the container is not tilted. The locking mechanism is preferably configured to release and / or lock or block the quick-release fastener as needed. Such an embodiment creates a container that is particularly reliably closed by means of a locking mechanism in addition to the quick-release fastener.

[0008] In the following, the term "covering means", unless explicitly stated otherwise, is preferably understood to mean a lid or container cover by means of which an opening in the container can be opened and / or closed by an operator as required, for example to check the fill level, to fill or mix the material to be distributed, for maintenance purposes, etc.

[0009] Furthermore, the term "quick-release fastener" is understood below to mean a positive and / or non-positive connection between the covering means and the container, in particular a side wall of the container. The quick-release fastener is designed in such a way that it can be released non-destructively and / or reversibly by a user or operator. The quick-release fastener is particularly preferably designed in the manner of one or more snap connections.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the container according to the invention, the locking mechanism is arranged on the quick-release fastener so that it can rotate and / or slide, in particular pivot. The locking mechanism is preferably movably arranged on the quick-release fastener and / or is directly movably connected to the quick-release fastener. Furthermore, the locking mechanism is preferably adjustable between an open position releasing the quick-release fastener and a closed position locking or blocking the quick-release fastener. In such an embodiment, the locking mechanism is arranged particularly close to and / or directly on the quick-release fastener, so that the locking mechanism and the quick-release fastener are particularly easy for an operator to operate. The locking mechanism and the quick-release fastener are preferably designed and / or arranged such that they can be operated by the operator with one hand and / or without tools.

[0011] In an alternative but also preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism can alternatively or additionally be arranged, preferably movably, on the covering means and / or on a side wall of the container.

[0012] In a further development of the container according to the invention, the quick-release fastener is arranged adjustably, in particular pivotably, on the container, preferably on the covering means. Particularly preferably, the quick-release fastener is designed at least partially in the manner of a handle. The quick-release fastener preferably comprises at least one snap hook, which is designed to close the covering means by engaging behind at least one associated holding element and / or projection, in particular in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. Furthermore, it can be provided that the quick-release fastener is arranged partially on the container, in particular on a side wall of the container, and partially on the covering means. Furthermore, for example, the at least one snap hook can be arranged on the covering means and the at least one holding element or the projection can be arranged on the container, in particular on a side wall of the container, or vice versa.The at least one snap hook is preferably arranged so as to be pivotable and / or movable, although alternatively it would also be conceivable for the retaining element and / or the projection to be arranged and / or designed so as to be movable. Particularly preferred is a quick-release fastener which is at least partially designed like a handle grippable by the operator, preferably with several jointly pivotable snap hooks arranged on the handle.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, it would also be conceivable for the quick-release fastener, in particular the snap hook, to be at least partially immovable but particularly yielding and / or flexible or elastically deformable.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the container according to the invention, the quick-release fastener is fixed and / or blocked in or during a closed position of the locking mechanism so as to be at least almost immovable. While the locking mechanism is in the closed position, the quick-release fastener is non-releasably and / or at least almost rigidly connected to the covering means and / or the container or a side wall of the container. An immovably fixed and / or blocked quick-release fastener can alternatively or additionally be understood to mean an at least slightly movable quick-release fastener in which the self-holding function is at least largely retained and / or the covering means remains closed. In addition, an open position is provided for the locking mechanism in which the quick-release fastener is released for unlocking and / or releasing the covering means from the container or the side wall of the container.In particular, it is provided that the covering means is closed at least almost exclusively by the self-holding of the quick-release fastener and / or the dead weight of the covering means when the locking mechanism is in the open position. This embodiment allows the container to be closed and / or locked as required. For example, it can be provided that the locking mechanism is positioned in the open position during normal operation and / or a dispensing process and is thus not used, so that the covering means can be operated particularly quickly and easily by loosening or closing the quick-release fastener. Only when it is intended to tilt the container, e.g. for transport, can the locking mechanism be positioned in the closed position, so that the covering means and thus the container are closed with particularly high operational reliability.The way in which the container is closed can therefore be adapted to suit the situation.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the container according to the invention, the quick-release fastener, in particular for opening and / or closing the covering means, has a defined adjustment range that can be limited by the locking mechanism. The quick-release fastener is preferably designed such that it can be released and / or closed by adjusting it in a defined direction and / or by overcoming a certain adjustment range. The locking mechanism is preferably designed to limit and / or at least almost completely block the adjustment range of the quick-release fastener required for releasing and / or closing. The adjustment range can alternatively or additionally also be referred to as the pivoting range of the quick-release fastener.Particularly preferably, the adjustment range is designed such that the quick-release fastener can be pivoted up to at least approximately 90°, in particular up to 30° or 45°.

[0016] In another embodiment of the container according to the invention, the locking mechanism for locking the cover and / or the quick-release fastener can be positioned directly beneath and / or against a contour of the cover, preferably against and / or on an outer edge of the cover. In particular, it is provided that at least one end of the locking mechanism can be pressed and / or pretensioned against the cover for the closed position. In other words, it is preferably provided that the locking mechanism is locked between the quick-release fastener and the cover in the closed position.

[0017] In a further development of the container according to the invention, the locking mechanism, in particular an adjusting lever assigned to the locking mechanism, can be fixed and / or locked in a prestressed manner in at least one of several positions, in particular in a closed and / or open position of the locking mechanism. Preferably, at least one spring element is assigned to the locking mechanism, which is designed to prestress and / or hold the locking mechanism, in particular the adjusting lever, in at least one position. For example, it can be provided that the locking mechanism, in particular the adjusting lever, is fixed in the lowered open position and / or the upright or locked closed position by means of the spring element and is secured against unintentional actuation, in particular unlocking and / or locking, of the locking mechanism.This design further increases the operational safety of the container in a simple way.

[0018] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by an agricultural working machine, in particular a seed drill, of the type mentioned above, wherein the working machine comprises at least one container provided for holding the material to be distributed, which container is designed according to at least one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the agricultural working machine according to the invention, reference is therefore first made to the advantages and modifications of the container according to the invention.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the work machine comprises a plurality of sowing units designed in the manner of row units for depositing the material to be distributed, each of which comprises at least one container for holding the material to be distributed. The containers are preferably designed according to at least one of the embodiments described above.

[0020] Further details of the invention can be found in the example description and the drawings. The drawings show Fig.1 shows an agricultural working machine designed as a single-seed seeder attached behind a tractor with a plurality of containers according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig.2A shows a detailed view of a container according to the invention with an opened covering means in a perspective view, Fig.2B shows the container from Fig.2A with closed cover means, Fig.3A a detailed view of a locking mechanism of the container in an unlocked opening position in a sectional view from behind; Fig.3B the locking mechanism from Fig.3A in a locked closed position; and Fig. 4 the locking mechanism in closed position and in perspective view.

[0021] An agricultural working machine attached to a tractor 1 and designed as a precision seed drill 2 is in Fig.1 can be seen. The precision seed drill 2 has a plurality of sowing units 4 arranged transversely to the direction of travel F on a beam 3, each of which is designed in the manner of known agricultural row units. The sowing units 4 each have a container 5 on their upper side for holding distribution material, in this case seed. From the container 5, the distribution material in the form of seed reaches a singling element (not shown in detail), from which it is delivered to soil tillage tools 6 as needed and / or at regular intervals. The soil tillage tools 6 serve to open a sowing furrow in the soil, into which individual seeds of the distribution material to be sown are deposited, and to subsequently cover this sowing furrow with soil.

[0022] As an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, other seed drills, such as mechanical seed drills or pneumatic large-area seed drills, would also be conceivable. Furthermore, an agricultural work machine 2 intended for spreading liquid distribution material, such as crop protection agents or the like, e.g., in the manner of an agricultural field sprayer, would also be conceivable. In this case, the container 5 could be suitable for holding and / or storing the liquid distribution material, which is often also referred to as spray.

[0023] In the Fig.2A and 2BThe container 5, which is arranged here on a sowing unit 4, is shown in an enlarged individual view. The container 5 has a storage tank 50 for storing the distribution material and an outlet 51 formed on the underside of the storage tank 50, via which the distribution material is transferred to the singling device arranged below. The container 5 further comprises a covering means 52 designed as a closable lid, which in the Fig.2A in open position or position and in the Fig.2B shown in the closed position. An opening 53, here essentially rectangular, can be seen on the top of the container 5. The opening 53 is used to access the interior of the container. For example, the opening 53 can be used as a filling opening for adding and / or refilling the distribution material. Alternatively, the opening 53 can also be used for level checking and / or maintenance purposes.

[0024] In order that the material to be distributed and / or a pneumatic overpressure of the separating device can be retained safely and / or pressure-tight within the container 5 during operation, the lid 52 is closed for and / or during operation. For this purpose, the lid 52 is pivotably connected to the container 5, in particular to the storage tank 50, although alternatively or additionally, a completely removable lid 52 would also be conceivable. To prevent accidental opening of the container 5, a self-retaining quick-release fastener 54A, 54B is provided, by means of which the lid 52 can be connected in a closable manner to the container 5, in particular to a side wall 55 of the container 5 or the storage tank 50. The quick-release fastener 54A, 54B shown here is designed in the manner of a snap connection and has a plurality ofSnap hooks 540A are directly connected to the lid 52, which can be connected in a rearward-engaging manner, in particular in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, to holding elements and / or projections 540B formed on the container 5 and / or the side wall 55. Alternatively, other types of quick-release fasteners would also be conceivable. As an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B can also have only one snap hook 540A and / or one projection 540B. As shown in FIG. Fig.2B As can be seen more clearly, the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B is at least partially designed like a handle that can be operated manually by an operator. Thus, the operator can grasp the quick-release fastener 54A without tools and open and / or close the lid 52 in a particularly simple manner.

[0025] In some situations, for example, when the container 5 is partially tilted or upside down and / or the work machine 2 is in the transport position, the container 5, in particular the lid 52 and / or the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B, is subjected to particularly high loads. If the container 5 is still at least partially filled with material to be distributed, the material to be distributed can additionally press against the underside of the lid 52. To prevent unintentional opening of the lid 52 and thus of the container 5, a locking mechanism 56 is provided on the container 5, in particular on the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B, the functioning of which is described in more detail below.

[0026] The Fig.3A shows the container 5 with the lid 52 already closed, which, however, is not sealed by the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B. As can be seen here, a part of the quick-release fastener 54A is pivotally mounted on the lid 52. Alternatively, the pivotable part of the quick-release fastener 54A, in particular the snap hook 540A, could be arranged on the storage tank 50 or the side wall 55, and the non-pivoting part of the quick-release fastener 54B, in particular the holding element and / or the projection 540B, could be arranged on the lid 52. The quick-release fastener 54A, 54B has a defined adjustment range α or a pivoting range, which is provided for releasing and / or connecting the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B and thus for opening and / or closing the lid 52. The locking mechanism 56 is arranged, in particular about the rotation axis 560, rotatably between the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B and the cover 52, here directly on the quick-release fastener 54A.Alternatively or in addition to the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism 56 could also be movable or foldable.

[0027] To release and / or pivot the quick release 54A, 54B, the locking mechanism 56 is in a lowered opening position, as also shown in the Fig.3A shown. Due to the self-locking nature of the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B, the lid 52 can be closed and / or used without the locking mechanism 56 during normal operation or in a lowered working position of the work machine 2, in which the container 5 is not tilted. This is particularly advantageous during the distribution process of the distribution material, for example, for brief checks of the fill level, for refilling and / or for mixing the stored distribution material.

[0028] If, however, tipping of the container 5 is intended, for example, for a transport position of the work machine 2, and / or difficult operating conditions, such as strong vibrations, are to be expected during operation, the container 5, in particular the lid 52, must additionally be closed or locked via the locking mechanism 56. For this purpose, the locking mechanism 56 can be positioned in a clampable and / or blocking manner between the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B and the lid 56, as shown in the Fig.3B and Fig.4 is shown. In particular, an adjusting and / or pivoting lever 562 assigned to the locking mechanism 56 can be seen, which can be positioned in an upright manner for the closed position of the locking mechanism 56. As can also be seen, the locking mechanism 56, in particular the adjusting and / or pivoting lever 562, is placed and / or pressed from below against an outer edge 520 of the lid 52 in the position locking the lid 52 and / or quick-release fastener 54A, 54B. The locking mechanism 56 is clamped between the lid 52, in particular the outer edge 520 of the lid, and the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B, in particular the snap hook 540A, so that the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B is fixed to the container 5 and / or lid 52 in or during the closed position of the locking mechanism 56, at least almost immovably.In other words, the locking mechanism 56 is configured in the closed position to clamp and / or block the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B and the cover 52 against each other.

[0029] In one in the Fig.3B In the alternative embodiment indicated, a gap 561, for example to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, is provided between the locking mechanism 56, in particular the adjusting and / or pivoting lever 562, and the cover 52, in particular the outer edge 520. The size of the gap 561 is designed such that the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B remains minimally movable in the closed position, but limits the adjustment range α such that the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B and thus the opening of the cover 52 is blocked.

[0030] As in the Fig.4 As can be seen particularly well, a spring element 563 is further provided which is assigned to the locking mechanism 56 and is designed to fix and / or arrest the locking mechanism 56, in particular the adjusting and / or pivoting lever 562, in a prestressed manner in at least one of the plurality of positions, in particular in the closed and / or open position. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spring element 563 is designed in the manner of an at least partially flexible leaf spring or the like and / or is formed integrally on the quick-release fastener 54A, 54B. In an alternative embodiment shown, a spring element 563 which is designed in the manner of a spiral spring or the like would also be conceivable here.

[0031] 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. The invention is defined solely by the scope of the patent claims. Bezugszeichenliste

[0032] 1Farm tractor 2Agricultural machine 3Beam 4Sowing unit 5Container 6Soil tillage tool 50Storage tank 51Outlet 52Covering agent, lid 53Opening 54A, 54BQuick release 540ASnap hook 540BProtrusion 55Side wall 56Locking mechanism 561Gap 562Adjusting and / or pivoting lever 563Spring element 560Rotation axis Direction of travel αAdjustment range

Claims

1. Container (5) for an agricultural work machine (2), in particular for holding agricultural distribution material, having at least one covering means (52), in particular a lid, which is arranged or can be attached to the container (5) and can be closed in a self-retaining manner by means of at least one quick-release fastener (54A, 54B), preferably designed in the manner of a snap connection, characterized by at least one locking mechanism (56) which is arranged at least partially rotatably and / or displaceably between the quick-release fastener (54A, 54B) and the covering means (52), in particular the lid, and which can be positioned between the quick-release fastener (54A, 54B) and the covering means (52), in particular the lid, in a clampable and / or blocking manner in order to lock the covering means (52), in particular the lid.

2. Container (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (56) is arranged rotatably and / or displaceably, in particular pivotably, on the quick-release fastener (54A, 54B).

3. Container (5) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the quick-release fastener (54A, 54B) is arranged adjustably, in particular pivotably, on the container (5), preferably on the covering means (52) or lid, and is particularly preferably at least partially designed in the manner of a handle.

4. Container (5) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the quick-release fastener (54A, 54B) is fixed and / or blocked at least almost immovably, preferably on the container (5) and / or covering means (52), in particular the lid, in or during a closed position of the locking mechanism (56).

5. Container (5) according to claim 3 and 4, characterized in that the quick-release fastener (54A, 54B), in particular for opening and / or closing the covering means or lid, has a defined adjustment range α which can be limited by means of the locking mechanism (56) .

6. Container (5) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking mechanism (56) for locking the covering means (52), in particular the lid, and / or the quick-release fastener (54A, 54B) can be positioned directly below and / or against a contour of the covering means (52), in particular the lid, preferably against and / or on at an outer edge of the covering means (52), in particular the lid.

7. Container (5) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking mechanism (56), in particular an adjusting lever (562) associated with the locking mechanism (56), can be fixed and / or locked in a pre-loaded manner in at least one of a plurality of positions, in particular in a closed and / or open position of the locking mechanism (56).

8. Agricultural work machine (2), in particular a seed drill, for spreading granular distribution material on an agricultural area, comprising at least one container (5) provided for holding the distribution material, characterized in that the at least one container (5) is designed according to at least one of the preceding claims.

9. Agricultural work machine (2) according to claim 8, wherein the work machine (2) comprises a plurality of sowing units (4) designed in the manner of row units for depositing the distribution material, each of which units comprises at least one container (5) for holding the distribution material, characterized in that the containers (5) are designed according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 7.