ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPENSING GRANULATED PRODUCTS

Description

Subject of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly for distributing a granular product individually, preferably a seed, a sowing element and a seeder comprising such a distribution assembly. State of the art

[0002] Seeders for distributing granular products, such as plant protection products, fertilizers or seeds, typically comprise a chassis, carried or towed by an agricultural machine, such as a tractor, and sowing elements arranged at regular intervals for depositing granular products on the ground.

[0003] Among the seed drills, those known as "single-seed" or precision seed drills are known, because they include a distribution and planting unit row by row, allowing seeds to be precisely placed in a furrow. Such a seed drill allows a furrow to be opened to a controlled depth, seeds to be placed one by one, spaced at the bottom of the furrow, then the furrow to be closed to ensure contact of all the seeds with the soil.

[0004] The majority of mechanical distribution systems use a pneumatic principle, the seeds being loaded, individually, by suction or depression, into cells arranged on the periphery of one face of a distribution disc, which is rotating, the seeds then being released by blowing or stopping the depression.

[0005] For vacuum distribution assemblies, the distribution disc is arranged substantially vertically and separates a compartment serving as a seed reservoir from a compartment free of seeds and subject to a vacuum. The vacuum applied to one side of the distribution disc makes it possible to capture, from the reservoir, the seeds in each of the cells of the disc, and thus to isolate them. The individualized seeds, thus captured, are then discharged, one by one, by the rotation of the distribution disc, bringing the cells containing the individualized seed, towards an area free of vacuum. The seeds are then released from the distribution disc and fall into the furrow.

[0006] The arrangement of the cells on the distribution disc, in particular the distance separating each cell and the rotation speed of the disc determine the final distance between each seed in the furrow, regardless of the working speed of the seeder.

[0007] Generally, the cells of the distribution discs have a substantially circular shape, and identical dimensions within the same disc, making them suitable for receiving seeds of all shapes and sizes. However, this versatility has a major drawback. Indeed, the seeds of a given type, like all granular products, do not generally all have the same shape or the same dimensions; consequently, they do not occupy the same space in the cells of the distribution disc, which introduces a more or less significant offset between the seeds and thus introduces variability in the inter-seed distances on the ground.

[0008] In certain seeders, the distribution assembly further comprises, or cooperates with, means for conveying the granular products to the ground, which may take the form of a paddle wheel as described in document FR2414288, or more usually comprise or have the form of a guide chute, making it possible to direct the seeds as they fall and to prevent them from falling outside the furrow.

[0009] The channeling role of such a chute is all the more important as the distribution assembly is at a significant height above the ground. In fact, the chute usually adopts a profile allowing the seeds to slide, and has a shape allowing them to have a trajectory conducive to their placement in the furrow. In addition, the shape of the chute makes it possible to use the height of the seed fall to give it, at the outlet of the chute, a horizontal speed component, which is at least equal to the forward speed of the seeder, but in the opposite direction. The value of this speed has a significant impact on the phenomenon of back-rolling of the seeds in the bottom of the furrow and therefore on the loss of precision in seed placement.Since the drop height is constant for a given sowing element, in a system relying solely on gravity, the horizontal speed can reach a maximum optimum value and will never exceed this value. This gives the seeder an optimum maximum speed beyond which there will be a loss of precision due to back-rolling.

[0010] In addition, the use of a chute is often detrimental to the precision of seed placement. In fact, the repeated impacts of the seeds against the walls of the chute during their fall and the vibrations due to the operation of the seeder, or caused by irregularities in the soil, disrupt the deposit of the seeds on the ground, which greatly varies the distance between the grains.

[0011] Thus, for distribution assemblies comprising both distribution discs and guide chutes, the effect of seed offset at the disc and the back-rolling phenomenon combine to significantly increase the loss of precision in seed placement on the ground and make the interval between seeds variable.

[0012] The conveying means may also comprise, instead of a chute, a pair of rotating belts spaced apart from each other, between which the seeds from the distribution disc are received, and the movement of which carries the seeds to the ground, as described in document US2016 / 0143213, or a brush belt receiving each seed at the end of the bristles of the brush, as described in documents EP2213152 and US2010192819, or a bladed belt cooperating with an inclined portion forming part of the conveying means, as described in documents WO2013 / 049198 and US2014230705.

[0013] However, in such distribution assemblies, the precision of seed placement on the ground is ensured both by the distribution disc, which sets the seed supply rate, and by the conveying means, the running speed of which must be in accordance with the forward speed of the machine so as to avoid any back-rolling of the seeds at the conveyor outlet. These assemblies therefore have a great variability in inter-seed distances on the ground, because the effect of the seeds shifting at the level of the distribution disc is amplified by these conveying means.

[0014] Furthermore, these distribution assemblies have the disadvantage of not being suitable for small granular products, in addition to being sensitive to high wear due to transfer by pinching.

[0015] Some distribution assemblies further include transfer means between the distribution disc and the means for conveying the seeds to the ground.

[0016] Documents WO2013 / 049198, US2014230705, CN 104 956 815 A and WO 2018 / 093568 also describe the transfer of individualized seeds from a vacuum distribution disc to conveying means comprising a bladed belt, by the use of one or two wheels arranged tangentially and rotating in opposite directions to each other, to recover the seed from the distribution disc and transfer it to the conveying means.

[0017] Again, this type of distribution assembly has the disadvantage of not being very precise in the positioning of the seeds on the ground, because the latter are caught whatever their position on the distribution disc and transferred to the conveying means whatever the position of the pallets. The seeds can then get stuck in the casing of the distribution assembly and / or in the casing of the conveying means.

[0018] Therefore, and in particular for individualized granular product distribution assemblies, and even more particularly for distribution assemblies with distribution discs, there is a growing need for a distribution solution that is sufficiently precise for increasingly high working speeds and allows constant distribution taking into account the differences in speeds between the distribution assembly and the working speed of the seeder. Aims of the invention

[0019] The present invention aims to provide a distribution element for granular products, a seeder comprising such a distribution element which does not have the drawbacks of the state of the art.

[0020] The present invention aims to provide an alternative to existing state-of-the-art solutions.

[0021] The invention proposes a solution allowing the control of the trajectory and path of the granular product, in particular a seed, from the product reservoir to its deposit on the ground, and in the case of seeds to the furrow.

[0022] The invention proposes a solution making it possible to maintain more constant the interval separating each granular product on the ground, in particular each seed. Summary of the invention

[0023] The present invention relates to an assembly for distributing granular products on the ground comprising means for distributing the granular products in an individualized form, means for conveying the individualized granular products on the ground and means for transferring the individualized granular products from the distribution means to the conveying means, the transfer means being synchronized in speed and position with the distribution means, and the transfer means capturing the granular products in an individualized manner and immobilizing them within the transfer means so as to keep each granular product spaced a determined and constant distance from each other, in the transfer means and during the transfer of the granular products to the conveying means.The transfer means comprise one or more alveolar wheels, each movable in rotation around an axis and comprising alveoli capable of receiving one granular product at a time.The alveolar wheel(s) comprise walls, movable between a radial position and a circumferential position, along an articulation axis located at the periphery of the wheel(s) and parallel to the axis of the wheel(s), or the alveolar wheel(s) comprise fixed radial walls and movable partitions comprising a proximal end, close to their articulation axis and a distal end, opposite the proximal end, the articulation axis being parallel to the axis of the alveolar wheel(s) and being arranged at the periphery of the alveolar wheel(s), the movable partitions passing from a so-called "closed" position, in which the distal end is located in the extension of the proximal end of an adjacent alveolus, to a so-called "open" position, in which the distal end extends radially towards the axis of rotation of the alveolar wheel(s).

[0024] According to particular embodiments of the invention, the distribution assembly according to the invention comprises at least one, or any suitable combination, of the following characteristics: the conveying means maintain constant, down to the ground, the distance between each individualized granular product, which has been fixed by the transfer means, the transfer means are synchronized in position with the conveying means, the distance between each individualized granular product in the transfer means is adjustable, the movable partitions move from the "closed" position to the "open" position by the action of a cam against the force of a spring, and from the "open" position to the "closed" position by the release of the spring, the means for distributing the granular product in individualized form comprise one or more distributor discs, movable in rotation, and comprising two faces, of which at least a first face comprises, arranged on its periphery, cells capable of receiving the granular products in an individualized manner, the conveying means are or comprise a pallet conveyor.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a sowing element comprising one or more assemblies for distributing granular products to the ground according to the invention.

[0026] The present invention further relates to a seed drill comprising one or more seeding elements according to the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0027] There figure 1 is a schematic representation of a side view of a sowing element comprising a distribution assembly according to the invention. The figure 2 is a schematic representation of a particular embodiment of the distribution assembly according to the invention. The figure 3 is a schematic representation of the transfer of granular products in the distribution assembly according to the invention to the ground. The figure 4 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the means for transferring individualized granular products between the distribution means and the means for conveying individualized granular products on the ground. The figure 5 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the means for transferring individualized granular products between the distribution means and the means for conveying individualized granular products on the ground. The figure 6 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the means for transferring individualized granular products between the distribution means and the means for conveying individualized granular products on the ground. The figure 7 is a schematic representation of a detailed perspective view of the transfer means shown in figure 6 . There figure 8 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the detail of the other side of the transfer means shown in figure 7 . There figure 9 is a schematic representation of a side view of means for maintaining the individualization of granular products during their reception from the distribution means. The figure 10 is a schematic representation of a side view of the lower end of a first embodiment of the means for conveying individualized granular products to the ground. The figure 11 is a schematic representation of a side view of the lower end of a second embodiment of the means for conveying individualized granular products to the ground. The figure 12 is another schematic representation of a side view of the lower end of the embodiment according to the figure 11 . There figure 13 is a schematic representation of a side view of the lower end of a third embodiment of the means for conveying individualized granular products to the ground. The figure 14 is a schematic representation of a side view of the lower end of a fourth embodiment of the means for conveying individualized granular products to the ground. The figure 15 is a schematic representation of a side view of the lower end of a fifth embodiment of the means for conveying individualized granular products to the ground. The figure 16 is a schematic representation of a side view of the speed components to which the granular products are subjected as they leave the conveying means. figure 17 is a schematic representation of a side view of another embodiment of the distribution assembly according to the invention. The figure 18 is a schematic representation of a side view of another embodiment of the distribution assembly according to the invention. The figure 19 is a schematic representation of a detail view of the embodiment shown in figure 18 . Description détaillée de l'invention

[0028] In the remainder of the description and the claims, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, “vertical” and “horizontal” refer to the normal position of the distribution assembly 1 according to the invention, and of the elements which compose it or them during their normal use, and, in particular, refer to its or their position as shown in figures 1 à 19 .

[0029] The distribution assembly 1 according to the invention is capable of distributing all kinds of granular products to the ground. However, by way of non-limiting example, such an assembly 1 will be described for the distribution of seeds to the ground, in particular seeds 2.

[0030] The distribution assembly 1 comprises means 3 for distributing individualized seeds 2, means 4 for conveying the individualized seeds to the ground and means 5 for transferring, in an individualized manner, the individualized seeds from the distribution means 3 to the conveying means 4 ( figure 2 ).

[0031] The distribution assembly 1 may further comprise, or cooperate with, means for storing seeds 2 comprising for example a supply reservoir 6, or a supply hopper, filled with seeds 2 when using the distribution assembly 1 and / or means for sucking and / or blowing seeds 2 cooperating with the distribution means 3 for dispensing individualized seeds 2.

[0032] The means 3 for distributing the individualized seeds 2 are all means capable of taking, in an individualized manner, that is to say individually, seeds 2 from a reservoir 6 for individualized deposit on the ground ( figures 3 à 5 ).

[0033] Preferably, these distribution means 3 comprise one or more seed 2 distributor discs 7, preferably substantially flat, and comprising two faces, of which at least one first face 8 comprises, arranged on its periphery, cells 9 capable of receiving one seed 2 at a time.

[0034] The cells 9 may have a substantially circular, ovoid or elliptical section, and have dimensions, preferably identical over the entire periphery of the distributor disc 7. The cells 9 advantageously comprise in their bottom a hole opening onto the second face, in order to allow the application, in each cell 9, of a vacuum or pressure of a gas, for example air.

[0035] The distributor disc(s) 7 are preferably arranged substantially vertically, adjacent to one or more supply reservoirs 6, the first face 8, comprising the cells 9, thus being in contact with seeds 2 arranged in at least one supply reservoir 6. The distributor disc(s) 7, movable in rotation by means of drive means, capture a seed 2 in each cell 9, by a suction or a depression created on the second face of the distributor disc 7. The seeds 2, thus individualized and captured in each cell 9, are then discharged, one by one, by stopping the suction or the depression, for collection by transfer means 5 at the area where the suction or the depression stops, or at an area located just before.

[0036] The transfer means 5 of the seeds 2 from the distribution means 3 to the conveying means 4 individually capture the granular products and immobilize them within the transfer means 5, so that each granular product is spaced from each other by a determined distance, substantially identical between each granular product, and constant, in the transfer means 5 and during their transfer to the conveying means 4. This allows the transfer means 5 to set the distance between each granular product (a so-called "wedging" distance), at a determined value, which is constant during the implementation of the transfer means 5 and between each successive granular product.These transfer means 5 thus condition the distance from the ground separating each granular product, unlike the solutions of the state of the art in which it is the distribution means, by the distance separating each cell and the speed of rotation of the distribution disc, which determine this distance from the ground.

[0037] These transfer means have the advantage of eliminating the shifts produced by the loading and unloading of the seeds 2, into and from the distribution means 3, in particular if they comprise a distribution disc 7, but also the shifts introduced by conventional transfer means of the seeds 2 to the conveying means 4.

[0038] Preferably, the transfer means 5 according to the invention are synchronized in speed and position with the conveying means 4, which has the advantage of limiting, or eliminating, the distance shifts produced by the transfer of the seeds 2 to the conveying means 4. Thus, the final distance on the ground between the seeds 2 is given by the frequency of transfer of the seeds 2 from the transfer means 5 to the conveying means 4. In addition, this allows the relative speed of the seeds 2 with respect to the ground to be as low as possible, preferably zero, while respecting the inter-seed distance ( figure 16 ).

[0039] Preferably, the distance between each seed 2, in the transfer means 5, is adjustable, therefore adjustable, advantageously depending on the type of distribution means 3 and the distance between the seeds 2 individualized in these distribution means 3.

[0040] Preferably, the transfer means 5 comprise at least one alveolar wheel 100, 200, 300, movable in rotation, comprising alveoli 101, 201, 301 which are capable of receiving one seed 2 at a time and which are arranged in relation to the distribution means 3 ( figures 2 à 9 ).

[0041] For example, in a distribution assembly 1 comprising a distribution disc 7, the alveolar wheel 100, 200, 300 is synchronized in speed and position with the distribution disc 7, so that each alveolus 101, 201, 301 corresponds to, and is in relation to, a alveolus 9 of the distribution disc 7.

[0042] Preferably, the alveolar wheel 100, 200, 300 is arranged against, or close to, the face 8 of the distribution disc 7 which comprises the alveoli 9, the axis 106, 206, 306 of rotation of the wheel 100, 200, 300 being substantially parallel to that of the distribution disc 7 and the wheel 100, 200, 300 rotating in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the distribution disc 7 ( figure 4 ).

[0043] Preferably, the cells 101, 201, 301 of the transfer wheel 100, 200, 300 comprise at least one vertical wall 102, 202, 302, substantially flat, solid and circular, and are separated from each other by rigid, non-elastic partitions 103, 203, 303, extending substantially in the radial direction of the wheel 100, 200, 300, partitions 103, 203, 303 which can be substantially straight ( figure 4 ), inclined ( figure 6 And 7 ) or concave ( figure 8 ).

[0044] The wedging distance of the seeds 2 is determined by the position of the seeds in the cells 101, 201, 301 of the cell wheel 100, 200, 300, and in particular their position on or against the partitions 103, 203, 303 and / or the walls 102, 202, 302.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in the figure 4 , the partition 103 captures the seed 2 from the distribution means 3, and brings it against a first end of a blade 104, a second end of which, opposite the first, bears on a pusher element 105, provided with a spring 107. Under the force exerted by the seed 2, the blade 104 forces the pusher 105 to rise by pivoting around an axis which is coaxial with that of the wheel 100, causing traction on the spring 107. Then, the pusher 105 lowers and drives the seed 2 from the wheel 100 into the conveying means 4 by releasing the spring 107, which is again compressed by the pusher 105 which is raised by the pressure exerted by the next seed 2 on the blade 104, and so on.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in the figure 5 , the cells 201 of the wheel 200 are delimited by walls 203, movable during the rotation of the wheel 200, between a radial position, namely a position in which they extend in the radial direction of the wheel 200, and a circumferential position, in which they extend in the circumferential direction of the wheel 200, and vice versa. The walls 203 are each movable relative to an articulation axis 204 located on the periphery of the wheel 200 and parallel to the axis 206 of the wheel 200, and are set in motion by the action of a spring 205, arranged in the lower part of the wheel 200. By passing from the radial position, in which the seed 2 is received in the cell 201, to the circumferential position, by its pivoting the wall 203 introduces the seed 2 into the conveying means 4, the cycle of the spring 205 corresponding to the frequency of transfer of the seeds 2.

[0047] Preferably, the walls 203 have a profile, namely a longitudinal section, of bi-convex, symmetrical or asymmetrical shape, or plano-convex.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in Figs 6 to 9, the wheel 300 comprises cells 301, delimited by radial walls 303, preferably concave, and closed by movable partitions 304, pivoting around an articulation axis 305 which is parallel to the axis 306 of the alveolar wheel 300, and which is arranged circumferentially on the vertical wall 302.

[0049] The movable partitions 304 have a proximal end 307, which is close to their articulation axis 305 and a distal end 308, which is opposite the proximal end 307.

[0050] The movable partitions 304 can move from a so-called “closed” position, in which the movable partitions 304 extend longitudinally along the periphery of the vertical wall 302 of the wheel 300, the distal ends 308 being in the extension of the proximal ends 307 of the adjacent cells 301, thus closing the cells 301, to a so-called “open” position, in which the distal end 308 of the movable partition 304 extends radially towards the axis of rotation 306 of the wheel 300, opening the cells 301 in their upper part, at the periphery of the wheel 300 ( figure 7 ).

[0051] The movable partition 304 of a cell 301 passes from the closed position to the open position in order to receive in the cell 301 the individualized seed 2 coming from the distribution means 3, for example from the distribution disc 7. To do this, the movable partition 304 tilts towards the inside of the cell 301 and therefore towards the axis 306 of the alveolar wheel 300.

[0052] When the movable partition 304 moves from the open position to the closed position, its distal end 308 rises towards the periphery of the wheel 300 and acts as a pusher or an ejector to expel the seed 2 out of the cell 301 towards the conveying means 4.

[0053] Thus, the wedging distance between the seeds 2 depends on the distance between each seed 2 arranged on the distal end 308 of each movable partition 304 of each cell 301 of the alveolar wheel 300.

[0054] The movable partitions 304 may have any suitable shape. Preferably, they adopt a shape making it possible to reconstitute a closed wheel 300 whose peripheral surface is substantially continuous when the movable partitions 304 are in the closed position, in external abutment on the periphery of the wheel 300.

[0055] Preferably, the movable partitions 304 may have a profile, namely a longitudinal section, substantially linear to form a secant with the vertical circular wall 302 or a longitudinal section in the shape of an arc of a circle, preferably identical or close to the circumferential arc of the vertical wall 302, and therefore of the wheel 300, the movable partitions 304 then being able to have a symmetrical or asymmetrical bi-convex or plano-convex profile.

[0056] Preferably, each movable partition 304 is actuated by a cam 309 which moves it from the open position, to allow the loading of the seed 2, against the force of a spring 310 which, upon release, closes it and isolates it from the outside.

[0057] Preferably, the cam 309 opens the cell 301 by acting on one end of a pusher 311 passing through a through groove 312 and extending in the vertical wall 302 substantially in the radial direction of the wheel 300, the other end of the pusher 311 engaging an opening 313 made in the distal end 308 of the movable partition 304. The shape of the cam 309 determines the amplitude of the opening of the cell 301 ( figure 8 ).

[0058] The passage of the movable partitions 304 between their open position and their closed position takes place during the rotation of the wheel 300, and of the distribution disc 7 if the latter is present.

[0059] Whatever the type of wheel 100, 200, 300, considered, and to prevent the seed 2 from being ejected from the wheel 100, 200, 300 before reaching the conveying means 4, it is preferable to provide a holding guide 11 making it possible to keep the seed 2 captive in each cell 101, 201, 301 during the rotation of the wheel 100, 200, 300, and therefore during its transfer to the conveying means 4, and to guide it towards the conveying means 4.

[0060] The guide 11 is arranged substantially tangentially to the wheel 100, 200, 300 and preferably takes the shape of an arc of a circle, advantageously compatible or identical with the circumferential arc of the vertical wall 102, 202, 302, and therefore of the wheel 100, 200, 300. The guide 11 comprises an upper end 12 at which the cells 101, 201, 301 receive the individualized seed 2, and a lower end 13 which constitutes the ejection point of the individualized seed 2 towards the conveying means 4. When the seed 2 arrives at this lower end 13, it is stressed in three directions, a radial component relative to the alveolar wheel 100, 200, 300, produced by the pressure of the walls 103, 203, 304 and the movable partition 304 on the seed 2, a reaction produced by the guide 11, which also induces friction on the seed 2, and a tangential component given by the rotation of the alveolar wheel 100, 200, 300.

[0061] Preferably, and whatever the transfer and wedging means 5, the latter comprise, or cooperate, with means for maintaining the individualization of the seeds 2 during their reception from the distribution means 3. By making it possible to push back any duplicate seeds 2 or to replace the seeds 2 offset relative to the cells 9 of the distribution disc 7, these means have the advantage of avoiding jamming or jamming of several seeds 2 at the entrance to the transfer and wedging means 5.

[0062] Preferably, as shown in figure 9 for a wheel 300 comprising movable partitions 304, the means for maintaining the individualization of the seeds 2 are, or comprise, a flexible membrane 14, which is arranged substantially tangentially to the wheel 300. Preferably, this membrane 14 is held in position by an absorbing element 15, absorbing the deformations of the flexible membrane 14, and thus playing a role of spring and maintaining the membrane 14 in its position and shape. Preferably, the absorbing element 15 is arranged at the edge of the upper end 12 of the guide 11.

[0063] Preferably, the alveolar wheel 100, 200, 300 is synchronized in position, but also in speed, to the conveying means 4, so that the ejection point of the seed 2 from the wheel 100, 200, 300 corresponds to the loading point of the seed 2 in the conveying means 4, which allows a good transfer of the seeds 2 to the conveying means 4. A rapid and precise unloading makes it possible to guarantee a good placement of the seeds 2 in the furrow.

[0064] The rotation speed of the wheel 100, 200, 300 is all the more important as its number of cells 101, 201, 301 is lower than the number of cells 9 of the distribution disc 7 and the distance between seeds 2 desired for sowing. However, it also varies according to the parameters of the distribution assembly 1, of sowing and the working speed, and gives the seed 2, at the outlet of the conveying means 4, a variable and relatively high tangential speed ( figure 16 ). The conveying means 4 preferably operate at a speed greater than or equal to the working speed of the seeding element 16.

[0065] For example, for a corn sowing having an inter-seed distance on the ground of 14 cm, with a distribution disc 7 having thirty-two cells and a cell wheel 100, 200, 300 of eight cells 101, 201, 301, the speed of the wheel 100, 200, 300 will be approximately 120 revolutions per minute for a forward speed of the distribution assembly 1 of 8 km / h.

[0066] Preferably, the speed and the synchronization of the speeds of the alveolar wheel 100, 200, 300 and of the different means, can be modified in order to maintain the setting distance, which has the advantage of being able to obtain a distribution assembly 1 which can adapt to the desired inter-seed distances or to the change in seed population 2.

[0067] The conveying means 4 are all means capable of accompanying individual seeds 2 to the ground, while making it possible to maintain a determined distance between each seed 2, and preferably giving the seeds 2 a horizontal speed which does not induce a back-rolling phenomenon, a speed adapted, equal to or greater than the speed of the sowing element 16 carrying the distribution assembly 1 according to the invention.

[0068] Preferably, these conveying means 4 comprise a pallet conveyor 17 in which some or all of the pallets 18 receive a seed 2, so that the seeds 2 are separated by a distance which corresponds to the wedging distance determined by the transfer means 5.

[0069] Preferably, the pallet conveyor 17 comprises at least one wall 19, an upper end of which is arranged tangentially to, and close to, the transfer means 5. The wall 19 extends from the transfer means 5 to close to the ground.

[0070] Preferably, this wall 19 is part of a box, which can adopt any suitable shape and size. The box comprises a first upper opening, arranged near the transfer and wedging means 5 and a second opening arranged near the ground or the bottom of the furrow and allowing each seed to be deposited there.

[0071] Preferably, the paddle conveyor 17 comprises at least one pair of pulleys 20, 21 supporting a movable belt 22 and conveying the seeds 2 from the top of the paddle conveyor 17 downwards, in the direction A-A', as shown in figure 10 One of the pulleys 20, 21 can be a driving pulley, in which case it is coupled to drive means, while the other can be a freewheel pulley.

[0072] Preferably, the upper pulley 20 has a diameter greater than that of the lower pulley 21.

[0073] In the embodiment in which the transfer means comprise a honeycomb wheel 100, 200, 300, the belt 22 comprising the pallets 17, and therefore the pulley 20, 21 which is driving, rotates in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the honeycomb wheel 100, 200, 300.

[0074] Preferably, as shown in figures 1 à 3 , the pallet conveyor 17 has a substantially longitudinal shape. It is arranged vertically or obliquely, between the transfer and wedging means 5 and the ground or the bottom of the furrow.

[0075] In the embodiment in which the pallet conveyor 17 comprises a housing, the first opening is located in the upper part of the housing, preferably at its top, while the second opening is located at its lower end. The upper pulley 20 is arranged in the upper part of the housing, near the upper opening of the housing and the lower pulley 21 is arranged near the lower opening of the housing.

[0076] The belt 22 comprises at least a first face, possibly notched, in contact with the drive pulley(s) 20, 21, possibly also notched, and a second face, opposite the first and comprising the pallets 18 projecting from this face, forming a series of housings for receiving the seeds 2 which are delimited, at the top and at the bottom, by consecutive pallets 18 and on one side by the face of the belt 22 from which the pallets 18 extend and on the other side by the wall 19, except in the junction zone with the transfer and wedging means 5 where the wall 19 must not prevent the seed 2 from entering a housing.

[0077] In the embodiments comprising a honeycomb wheel 200, 300 comprising respectively a movable wall 203 or a movable partition 304, the honeycomb wheel 200, 300 is arranged tangentially to the pallet conveyor 17, in particular at the first opening arranged at the top of the housing of the pallet conveyor 17, and the housing, having received the seed 2 to be conveyed to the ground, is closed by the movable wall 203 or the movable partition 304 having pushed the seed 2 into the housing. Thus, at the upper level of the pallet conveyor 17, the seed 2 cannot escape from the conveyor 17.

[0078] In the lower part of the conveyor 17, at the level of the second opening of the housing, the housing conveying the seed 2 is open, thus allowing its release to the ground ( figures 10 à 16 ).

[0079] Preferably, the conveying means 4 further comprise means 23 for guiding the outlet of the seeds 2. Preferably, a guide, or an inclined ramp, arranged at the level of the second opening of the housing of the pallet conveyor.

[0080] The distribution element 1 moving relative to the ground at a given speed, called the working speed (Vt), the belt 22 of the conveyor 17 is driven at a speed such that the horizontal component (Vh) of the exit speed of the seed 2 (Vsg) is equal to, preferably greater than, the working speed, which makes it possible to reduce, or even cancel, the phenomenon of back-rolling of the seed 2 on the ground ( figure 16 ).

[0081] In a possible embodiment of the conveying means 4, a wall 24 connects the foot of a pallet 18 to the top of the lower consecutive pallet 18 ( figures 11 And 12). Preferably, this wall 24 is flexible and deformable, and has a length greater than the distance between the two consecutive pallets 18, giving it a concave shape.

[0082] This allows the wall 24 to exert slight pressure on the seed 2 towards the wall 19 and push it upwards to bring it into contact with the upper pallet 18, in order to hold it firmly, and therefore stabilize it, in the housing in which it is located. In addition, this allows the belt 22 to wrap around the lower pulley 21 without the wall 22 being pulled and causing deformation or bending of the pallets 26 to which it is connected.

[0083] Thus, depending on the concavity and the flexibility or deformability properties of the wall 22, it is possible to adapt to various shapes and sizes of seeds 2. In addition, this makes it possible to modify the size of the housings of the pallet conveyor 17 without penalizing the seed 2 exit speeds.

[0084] In a possible embodiment of the conveying means 4, the belt 22 comprises notches 25 on its second face, forming a notched belt 22 ( figure 13 ). Preferably, these notches 25 have a shape and dimensions compatible with those of the seeds 2. Advantageously, the notches 25 are rounded and make it possible to stabilize the seeds against the wall 19.

[0085] In a possible embodiment of the conveying means 4, the belt 22 comprises bristles 26 extending and projecting from its second face, to form a discontinuous brush, the distance between two bristles, or series of consecutive bristles, forming the housings for receiving the seeds 2, and chosen such that the seed 2 is clamped therein ( figure 12 ). This has the advantage of better stabilizing the seed 2 in the conveying means 4. In addition, this makes it possible to refine the way in which the seeds 2 are taken care of by adapting the length, flexibility and implantation density of the bristles 26 to form more or less rigid, deep zones, zones favoring or not the taking of the seeds 2 in the conveying means 4. This embodiment favors a division of the partitioning and provides a conveying solution less, or not, sensitive to problems of synchronization in position with the transfer means 5.

[0086] In one possible embodiment of the conveying means 4, the belt 22 comprises, or is, a continuous brush 27, comprising bristles extending from, projecting from, the second face of the belt 22, the density and length of the bristles constituting the brush preferably being constant along the belt 22. This has the advantage of improving the stability of the seed 2 in the conveying means 4 and of being less, or not, sensitive to problems of synchronization in position with the transfer means 5.

[0087] In a possible embodiment of the distribution assembly 1, the transfer and wedging means 5 take the form and reproduce the operation of the conveying means 4 as described previously, means which are synchronized in position and speed relative to the distribution means 3, for example to the distribution disc 7. Preferably, it is a pallet conveyor 28, the pallets of which form housings receiving the seeds 2 individually from the cells 9 of the distribution disc 7. This pallet conveyor 28 is arranged substantially vertically and an upper part tangentially relative to the distribution disc 7. It is set in motion by at least two pulleys, at least one of which is a driving pulley, for conveying the seeds from bottom to top.Arriving at the bottom of the paddle conveyor 28, each seed 2 is then accelerated and directed substantially obliquely or horizontally relative to the ground, so that their horizontal speed is equivalent to or greater than the speed of movement of the sowing element 16 comprising such a distribution assembly 1. Preferably, this change of direction and this acceleration are obtained by a belt conveyor 29 comprising a smooth or toothed belt, and an acceleration wheel 30 in contact with a portion of the belt in order to pinch each seed 2 against the belt (. figure 17 ).

[0088] Preferably, the distribution assembly 1 may comprise a plurality of distribution means 3, advantageously two distributor discs 7, arranged vertically opposite each other and rotating in opposite directions, each cooperating with transfer and wedging means 5, advantageously each cooperating with a honeycomb wheel 100, 200, 300 or a pallet conveyor 28, and sharing the same conveying means 4, advantageously the same pallet conveyor 17 ( figures 18, 19 ).

[0089] The sowing element 16 according to the invention comprises one or more distribution assemblies 1 according to the invention.

[0090] Preferably, the sowing element 16 comprises a frame 31 carrying one or more distribution assemblies 1 according to the invention and means 32 for attachment to a seeder, possibly also one or more seed supply reservoirs 2 and / or means 33 for opening one or more furrows in the soil, means 34 closing the furrow(s) once the seeds 2 have been deposited.

[0091] The seeder according to the invention comprises one or more seeding elements 16.

[0092] The sowing elements 16 of the same seeder, implementing the transfer and timing means 5 according to the invention, can be synchronized with each other. This has the advantage of placing the seeds 2 of a row precisely in relation to the neighboring row, thus allowing a precise arrangement of the seeds 2 or their alignment perpendicular to the direction of sowing, which allows the identification of the locations of each of the seeds 2, obtained by the timing and synchronization information, thus allowing the production of a map of the sowing carried out.

[0093] The method of distributing a granular product to the ground according to the invention comprises the step of taking a granular product in individualized form using distribution means 3, discharging it into transfer means 5, in a synchronized manner in speed and position, and setting, namely fixing, the distance between the successive individualized granular products using the transfer means 5, during the transfer of the individualized granular products to conveying means 4, then conveying, to the ground, the successive individualized granular products, using conveying means 4, while maintaining constant, until the ground, said distance between said successive individualized granular products.

[0094] Preferably, the transfer of the individualized granular products to conveying means 4 is done by capturing the granular products individually, keeping them captive, then introducing them individually into the conveying means.

Claims

1. Distribution assembly (1) for distributing granular products that are to be distributed on the ground comprising distribution means (3) for distributing said granular products singly, conveying means (4) for conveying said singled granular products to the ground, transfer means (5) for transferring said singled granular products from the distribution means (3) to the conveying means (4), wherein said transfer means (5) are synchronized in terms of speed and in terms of position with said distribution means (3) and said transfer means (5) capture said granular products singly and immobilize them within said transfer means (5), so as to keep each granular product spaced a determined and constant distance from one another, in said transfer means (5) and during the transfer of said granular products to the conveying means (4), and wherein the transfer means (5) comprise one or more singling wheels (200, 300) each able to rotate about an axis (206, 306) and comprising pockets (201, 301) able to receive one granular product at a time, characterized in that the singling wheel or wheels (200) comprise walls (203) able to move between a radial position and a circumferential position, about an axis of articulation (204) situated at the periphery of said wheel or wheels (200) and parallel to the axis (206) of said wheel or wheels (200) or in that the singling wheel or wheels (300) comprise fixed radial walls (303) and mobile partitions (304) comprising a proximal end (307) close to their axis of articulation (305) and a distal end (308), the opposite end to said proximal end (307), said axis of articulation (305) being parallel to the axis (306) of said singling wheel or wheels (300) and being positioned at the periphery of said singling wheel or wheels (300), said mobile partitions (304) moving from a position referred to as "closed", in which said distal end (308) is in the continuation of the proximal end (307) of an adjacent pocket (301), to a position referred to as "open", in which the distal end (308) extends radially toward said axis (306) of rotation of said singling wheel or wheels (300).

2. Distribution assembly (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the conveying means (4) keep the distance between each singled granular product, which distance has been fixed by the transfer means (5), constant until they reach the ground.

3. Distribution assembly (1) as claimed in either one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer means (5) are synchronized in terms of position with the conveying means (4).

4. Distribution assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between each singled granular product in the transfer means (5) is adjustable.

5. Distribution assembly (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the mobile partitions (304) move from the "closed" position to the "open" position via the action of a cam (309) working against the force of a spring (310), and from the "open" position to the "closed" position via the relaxation of said spring (310).

6. Distribution assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution means (3) for distributing the granular products singly comprise one or more distributor discs (7), able to rotate, and comprising two faces, of which at least a first face (8) comprises, arranged on its periphery, pockets (9) able to receive said granular products singly.

7. Distribution assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying means (4) are or comprise a cleated conveyor (17).

8. Seeding element (16) comprising one or more distribution assemblies (1) for distributing granular products on the ground according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Seeder comprising one or more seeding elements (16) according to Claim 8.