Agricultural seed dispenser with rapid conversion from mechanical seed dosing to pneumatic on-demand feeding and vice versa

Description

Field of application of the present invention:

[0001] The present invention refers to the field of transporting granulated solid materials via an air current, from a container or hopper to the means of implantation of said materials. One of the most common applications of these systems refers to agricultural machinery when it is used to transport these granulated solid materials, such as seeds or granular fertilizer, from a hopper or reservoir, ideally a centralized reservoir, to the precision dosing equipment called "single grain" located on the planting unit (Planters) and in equipment that performs seeding of fine seeds and / or solid fertilizers by volumetric dosing means also called "drilling" (Seeders).

[0002] More specifically, the present invention finds its field of application in the means that allow in the same seed drill to modify quickly, simply, without the use of special tools and in the same field or plot where the seed drill operates, transforming it from a machine with a dragging or volumetric delivery system made by any mechanical element of granular material dragging, into a seed drill with an on-demand delivery device.

[0003] More specifically, the present invention finds its field of application in the means that allow the rapid modification of an on-demand seed drill in a cup feed drill, without having to displace the seed drill machine to a certain site, such as a workshop, and without the need for any special tool, nor needing the assistance of specialized personnel.Meaning of the terms used in the present invention:

[0004] The main HOPPER is understood to be the large volume container, usually installed on the central portion of the seed drill or coupled in some way to the seed drill independently and containing in bulk the seed, or input to be deposited on the ground. Usually and in a known form, the seed drills have more than one such centrally located hopper.

[0005] DELIVERY DEVICE: It is composed of an AIR BOX and at least part of the SEED BOX. This device is usually located under the hopper. The air box is basically formed by a hollow body in the form of a tunnel, with an air inlet at its rear end, air current that at its opposite end proceeds to drive the granulated material by sending it towards the deposition means to the ground. The seed box is in communication with the bottom of the hopper and receives the granulated material from said hopper, for shipment thereof to the SEED INJECTION CHAMBER.

[0006] For the purposes of the invention, any device capable of delivering certain doses of fine seeds or fertilizers by rotating a shaft provided with a mechanical dragging element is recognized as a "drilling" type or DRAGGING DOSING DEVICE. Said dragging element may have various forms that allow it to fulfill its function. Depending on the construction features, these dragging elements can be presented as a single rotor for a variety of transport lines or a dragging element can be individualized by each transport line. The device that delivers the flow rate of seeds or inputs according to the requirements dictated by the dosing devices that work in conjunction with the secondary receptacles or hoppers, and that individually serve only one dosing device for the implantation or deposition of the seed in the ground, is recognized as an ON DEMAND SUPPLIER DEVICE.

[0007] GRANULAR INPUT is to be understood as any grain, seed or agrochemical compound in granular state, such as fertilizers, string trimmer, pesticides, etc.Prior Art:

[0008] The size of the agricultural implements increases continuously in the permanent search for the increase of their operational capacity. In the case of seed drills and planters, they have adopted centralized storage systems for seeds and fertilizers consisting of large hoppers, increasing working autonomy and simplifying replenishment tasks. For "coarse grain" crops (maize, soybean, sunflower, etc.), in addition to the operational capacity, there is the need to provide the seed drill machines with devices with the precision required when implanting the seed, said devices generally called "single grain" for carrying out an individualized treatment of the seed are mounted directly on the planting body. The supply of the material to the respective "single grain" dosing devices is carried out by moving the seed from the main hopper, through a series of conduits, driven by an air current. The delivery of the material is regulated by a device that is installed at the base of the main hopper, with which communicates and receives the material contained in said main hopper, with which communicates and receives the material contained in said central hopper, generally by free fall or gravity.

[0009] The delivery devices mainly used for the purpose of the present invention comprise an air box having a bottom, side walls and a first front wall communicating with a pressurized air source, and a second posterior wall, with at least one air outlet entering said box.

[0010] The seed is delivered to the "single grain" dosing devices, which are mounted on the seed implanting unit. The "single grain" dosing device performs the task of "singulation" (according to its name in English) or individualization of the seeds, which consists in the action of taking seeds individually for the purpose of distributing them at the bottom of the furrow in a predefined amount per meter and at a constant distance.

[0011] For the seeding of fine grains, such as barley, wheat, rye, etc., delivery is achieved using the called "drilling delivery devices" that make use of means of delivery through dosing by dragging.

[0012] Depending on whether the seed drill is equipped with "drilling" or "single grain" delivery devices, they are classified respectively as "fine grain seed drill" or "coarse grain seed drill". In the cases in which such agricultural implement is enabled to fulfill both functions, these seed drills are called "combined seed drills". In order to achieve both working modes, a replacement of the delivery device installed at the base of the hopper and in communication with a "seed box" is carried out, placing the corresponding one, according to the working mode.

[0013] In the case of a known "combined" seed drill machine, with a centralized hopper in which the seed or input is transported by an air current from the delivery device located at the bottom of the hopper to the furrow opener, that is, it can implant both a drilling and a seeding with single grain dosing devices, this is possible by an adaptation of the delivery device according to the system intended to be employed. This adaptation is necessary due to the fact that on-demand supply systems do not have the capacity to perform dosing, and on the other hand, "drilling" dosing systems do not have the capacity to operate as an "on-demand" supplier.

[0014] In the following, the word "seed" includes all kinds of coarse grain seed, fine grain, or agrochemical granules.

[0015] In both recited systems, the seeds are moved to their final destination by an air current. The seed enters the delivery device and is housed in the "seed box". This box is a physically delimited sector within which the "dragging rotor" eventually operates, for the case of drilling work or the "containment slope" for the case of on-demand supply. On the other hand, the delivery device is linked to a fan, which delivers a certain air flow rate that enters the "air box". The "air box" is a physically delimited enclosure within which the air current is conveniently directed towards different outlets in order to act on the seed mass according to the working embodiment.

[0016] On-demand delivery devices obtain this designation because the seed mass transported by an air current from the main hopper reservoir to the single grain dosing devices is displaced as a function of the air speed circulating in the circuit. That is, when an air current is established in the delivery circuit, a dragging of the input from said main hopper into the secondary hoppers or reservoirs of each dosing device is produced, and when the secondary hopper is filled with the seed agglomeration, an obstruction in the air transport conduit is produced, therefore, a decrease in the air speed is achieved. Taking into account that the displacement capacity of the seeds is proportional to the speed of the flow rate of the dragging air, the obstructions limit or stop the delivery of said seeds. As the dosing device delivers its stock of input, the level of inputs decreases, the obstruction of the conduit is released and the transport of seed through the air current is restored until the loading level of the secondary hoppers is completed again. A dynamic balance is achieved between the main and secondary hoppers managed by the delivery speed of each dosing device, and this dynamic transport balance is called "on demand". The dragging or drilling dosing systems consist of a rotating component, which determines a mechanical dragging element, such as for example, a rotor with a plurality of housings, capable of removing from the base of the hopper a certain amount of granular material according to its rotational speed. This is achieved in the known art by employing a rotatable component, provided either with alveoli, or with teeth or fingers. Both said alveoli or between adjacent pairs of said teeth or fingers accommodate a certain amount of granular material and when rotating they remove it from the seed chamber and tip it towards the injection chamber so that the air current transports them to the devices responsible for placing the fine seeds or granulated fertilizers in the soil or in the furrow.

[0017] Single grain dosing systems are those in which the seed that is implanted in the bottom of the furrow is handled individually, so as to ensure a regular distance between one seed and the other. Distance between seeds is a function of the plant density specified for that crop. There are different ways to individually manipulate a seed. Some systems do so with rotating plates provided with cells that allow only one seed to be housed, and in this way move it individually. In other systems they rely on the seed adhering to the ports of a rotating perforated plate using an air current with either positive or negative pressure.

[0018] Applicant is aware of document US2005 / 126458A1 which discloses the technical features of the preamble of the claim 1 of this application.Problems encountered in prior art constructions:

[0019] In the following, in particular, but not exclusively, combined seed drills whose delivery device is linked and in communication with the bottom of the centralized hopper(s) of the seed drill shall be considered. Inside said device, when the dosing is by drilling, selectively a rotor is located inside a seed chamber provided with fingers or gears for the purposes already explained. In this arrangement, the seed is transported to the furrow opener by an air current. More particularly, without this constituting any limitation, particular reference will be made in the accompanying drawings of the delivery devices object of patent application AR P20180101923 of July 10, 2018, by title SOLID PARTICLE ON-DEMAND DELIVERY DEVICE, APPLIED TO AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE, of the same applicant.

[0020] For the adaptation in the same seed drill for the delivery on demand combined, or with the single grain system, a modification must be made in the seed box, removing the aforementioned roller and changing the manifold that provides the seeds at the outlet of the delivery device that forms an "injection chamber" of the seeds.

[0021] In combined seed drills this operation is usually complex and in various of the known machines the seed drill must be removed from service to produce the change of delivery system, or relatively complex operations must be resorted to in situ that comprise a certain period of time with the machinery inactive or dead time and often the use of tools, some of them of specific design for this purpose and that require technically specialized personnel.

[0022] On the other hand, in the case of machines with large central hoppers, where the use of each hopper is normally already defined due to the mechanical differences between the drilling or on-demand delivery devices existing at the base of said hoppers and in the absence of a facilitated interchangeability between both systems, in certain crops the load autonomy of the seed drills is not optimized. This is because it is not possible to replenish a hopper intended for dosing by drilling with coarse grain seeds, nor is it possible to supply the hopper that feeds a circuit of an on-demand system with coarse grains with solid fertilizers or fine grain seeds without first modifying the delivery system, that is, from drilling to on-demand and vice versa.

[0023] Likewise, in the event that the outlet of the injection chamber is plugged, it is necessary to achieve a quick and easy access to its outlet, clearing the conduits, and reassemble the device with the same speed and simplicity without having to take the machine to the workshop, this is not always possible with the known devices.

[0024] For the adaptation in the same seed drill for the combined on-demand delivery, or with the single grain system, a modification must be made in the seed delivery box or seed box, removing the aforementioned roller and changing the manifold that provides the seeds at the output of the injection chamber.Objects of the present invention:

[0025] It is the object of the present invention is a set of agricultural implement, where it allows to carry out the transformation of the delivery system from a drilling device to an on-demand delivery device, and vice versa, carrying out said transformation quickly, without the eventual use of special tools, without the use of specialized technicians and remaining the seed machine in the same work site, that is, in the field where it is working. It is also the object of the invention that said transformation can be carried out manually and by the same personnel who drive it, that is, without requiring a greater knowledge of specialized mechanics, achieving a maximum reduction in the transformation times of a combined seed drill, so that it remains inactive as soon as possible.

[0026] It is also the object of the invention that the seed delivery chamber has a profile formed by its front partition and at least part of the vault or ceiling of the air chamber in communication with the seed chamber that is unchanged, that is, that defines a fixed and unchanged support and base against to which the drilling or on-demand device can be electively coupled, which, linked by appropriate means, copies the profile of said front partition and vault, allowing the rapid and simple withdrawal of the piece that completes said injection chamber, attached to the front of the air chamber and in communication therewith.

[0027] It is an object of the invention that the main structure of the delivery system composed basically of the air chamber and the basic structure of the seed chamber is substantially unchanged and fixed to the bottom of the hopper in the seed drill when performing the exchange operation of the assembly that completes the delivery chamber of the seed and to the injection chamber of the seed, attached vertically to the front of the delivery device.

[0028] It is an object of the invention that in the case of the "dragging dosing" or "drilling" system, the mechanical dragging element of the seed and its functional environment located in the seed chamber can be changed and / or modified quickly and without the use of tools. It is the object of the invention that in the case of the "on-demand supply" system, the seed containment slope and its functional environment located in the seed chamber can be changed and / or modified quickly and without the use of tools.

[0029] It is an object of the present invention that the delivery system, more precisely the seed injection box, has a plurality of outlets that can be selectively closed quickly and without the use of tools in order to use the necessary outlets depending on the number of furrows of the implement.Summary of the invention:

[0030] The invention is defined by an agricultural implement assembly with the features of claim 1, for the rapid transformation of a seed drill with a drilling or dragging seed dosing device to an on-demand seed supply device and vice versa, including at least one hopper containing a granular input, such as grains, seeds or granules of agrochemicals, and a delivery device arranged under the hopper.

[0031] This device has a structure consisting of two physically delimited areas. One of said areas hereinafter referred to as "seed box" has a direct connection with the hopper receiving the granular material, generally supplied by gravity, and another area hereinafter referred to as "air box", which has a connection with an air source such as a fan or the like.

[0032] The air box is formed by side walls that delimit its width, a bottom wall, a rear wall with the air inlet from the fan, and a front partition that has at least the passage of the seed to the area where the dragging rotor is eventually located for the case of volumetric dosing for seed drilling work, or to the area where the containment slope is located for the case of on-demand supply. Preferably, the aforementioned partition has a plurality of outlets that can be selectively closed for the purpose of using said outlets based on the number of furrows served by the agricultural implement.

[0033] The top face of the seed box is open and communicates with the containing hopper. Inside the air box, the air is directed towards different outlets in order to act on the seed mass according to the working embodiment.

[0034] Particularly, the preferred construction of the present invention employs two air currents: one called "main current" and the other, called "secondary current". The air enters the air box driven by the fan or blowing unit and the main current leaves the box through the ports made in the front partition.

[0035] The secondary current passes through a seed mass and joins the main current within the injection chamber generating a dragging current capable of transporting the material to its final destination.

[0036] In the case of the drilling working mode, the material is delivered to the injection chamber due to the dragging action generated by a mechanical element and is dragged by the main current that does not possess any derivation in this case.

[0037] For the on-demand working mode, the material is delivered to the injection chamber by effect of the secondary current passing through the seed mass from the bottom of the seed chamber (or air box vault) through a screened surface. To this end, and without this constituting any limitation of the present invention, this secondary current can be regulated by means of the construction indicated in the aforementioned patent application P201801023 of July 10, 2018, of the same applicant.Detailed description of the present invention:

[0038] In order to succeed in exemplifying the preferred embodiment examples of the present invention, the following figures that illustrate them are attached, with the support of the description thereof given below, these embodiment examples must be interpreted as one of the many possible constructions of the invention, therefore it is not appropriate to assign any limiting value to it, including within the scope of protection of the invention the possible means equivalent to those illustrated; the amplitude of the present invention being determined by the first claim attached in the corresponding claim set.

[0039] Likewise, in these Figs., like references identify like and / or equivalent means.Description of the drawings:

[0040] Fig. 1, shows in exploded perspective, in a schematic form, an air box of a delivery device of the invention, and separated therefrom, two preferred constructions of vertical seed injection chambers, respectively first and closest to the air box, the vertical seed injection chamber for a drilling or volumetric delivery system is seen which acts next to the dragging cylinder that is illustrated exploded, and then to the component of the vertical seed injection chamber for an on-demand delivery system; Fig. 2 schematically shows a vertical cutoff of a generic hopper, on the base of which the seed delivery box and the vertical seed injection chamber with dragging cylinder have been installed forming a drilling or volumetric delivery device according to the present invention; Fig. 3 schematically shows the components of the vertical cutoff of Fig. 2, with the vertical chamber and dragging cylinder being exploded; Fig. 4 schematically shows a vertical cutoff of a generic hopper, on the base of which an air box and the vertical seed injection chamber have been installed in communication with the seed box, forming an on-demand delivery device according to the present invention; Fig. 5, schematically shows the components of the vertical cutoff of Fig. 4, with the on-demand vertical seed injection chamber being exploded; Fig. 6, shows in top perspective of the front end of the air box, with a preferred construction of the fastening and linking means of the selectively detachable dragging roller (not illustrated in this Fig.) in the open condition, and of the means capable of receiving the selectively fastening and linking devices of the vertical chamber to the front wall of the box according to the present invention; Fig. 7 shows in perspective to said air box of Fig. 6, without the dragging roller and in the act of receiving the component that defines the vertical seed injection chamber of the drilling or volumetric delivery device, according to the present invention; Fig. 8 shows a preferred embodiment of the vertical seed injection chamber of the drilling delivery device, without the dragging roller and without the fastening and linking means of said vertical chamber to the front wall of the air box of a delivery device according to the present invention; Fig. 9, shows in top view a preferred construction of the holding and assembly means of the vertical chamber to the air box of a delivery device; Fig. 10, illustrates a perspective of the seed delivery box, in its version of a drilling delivery device, with the roller already installed and secured to the seed chamber, without illustrating the fastening and linking means, in a preferred embodiment in which said vertical seed injection chamber is composed of two pieces attached to them to facilitate the inspection, cleaning and eventual plugging of seeds, without having to dismantle all said vertical chamber; Fig. 11 illustrates in the same perspective said second exploded component, in the act of being presented for installation to the rest of the vertical seed injection chamber of a delivery device according to the present invention; Fig. 12 shows a partial perspective of the on-demand delivery device, with the component of the vertical seed injection chamber already assembled to said air box, in the act of being installed by the linking and adjusting means of the aforementioned vertical chamber to the front wall of the air box; Fig. 13 shows a perspective of the second component of the vertical seed injection chamber of a volumetric delivery device, with its top linking and holding means ready for assembly, likewise showing at the bottom edge of said second component a sign of linking projections from the bottom end thereof to the first component of the vertical seed injection chamber of this device. Seen in Fig. 14 is an isolated top view of the second component of the drilling or volumetric delivery chamber with the top fastening means thereof to the sides of the delivery box in its adjustment and holding position; Fig. 15, allows to appreciate in a side elevation view an isolated detail of the left side of the box, which extends substantially vertical according to the present invention, and in which it is possible to observe a preferred construction of the seats of the holding means of the components that make up the vertical chamber, applicable to both versions (volumetric or on demand) of the delivery device, said seats consisting of vertical slots of blind bottom. Fig. 16 shows a top plan view of a particular preferred constructional detail of the invention, which consists of a flat bottom projection that continues the floor of the air chamber delimited by both lateral extensions thereof, with a series of housings for as many connecting projections of the bottom end of the second component illustrated in Fig. 13. In Fig. 17, in a top perspective the seed box is seen, with the first component of the vertical seed injection chamber of the volumetric delivery device being already installed (without the fastening and linking means) and with the dragging cylinder separated, at the time prior to its installation, with the fastening and holding means thereof open. Fig. 18, shows in a top perspective the seed box, with the component of the vertical seed injection chamber of the on-demand delivery device being separated therefrom and prior to its assembly, also being shown separately to one of the linking and adjusting means of said chamber to the box. Fig. 19, allows to appreciate in a top perspective to the delivery box, with the component of the vertical chamber of the on-demand delivery device being already assembled, and with both linking and adjusting means of said chamber to the box being separated at the time prior to assembly. Photographs of the Components of the Vertical Cameras:

[0041] With the sole purpose of providing a more finished vision of the components that make up both constructions of the vertical cameras, respectively volumetric and on demand, a series of photographs that illustrate them is attached for information and clarification purposes only: Photograph A illustrates a front view of both components of the vertical chamber of the volumetric delivery device next to the already assembled roller; Photograph B illustrates a slightly rear top view of both components of the vertical chamber of the volumetric delivery device next to the already assembled roller; Photograph C illustrates a rear view of both components of the vertical chamber of the volumetric delivery device next to the already assembled roller; Photograph D illustrates a slightly perspective side view of both components of the vertical chamber of the volumetric delivery device next to the already assembled roller; Photograph E illustrates a rear view of the vertical camera component of the on-demand delivery device; Photograph F further illustrates a rear view of the vertical camera component of the on-demand delivery device; and Photograph G illustrates a perspective view of the vertical camera component of the on-demand delivery device.

[0042] Prior to the detailed analysis of the accompanying Figs. of the preferred exemplary embodiments, it is considered useful to make the following considerations related to the structure and operation of the components of the invention with the result obtained. As already explained, the present invention consists of a structure consisting of two physically delimited areas. One of the areas, called "Seed Box" as already mentioned, has a direct connection with the containing hopper receiving the granular material therefrom, generally supplied by gravity and an area hereinafter referred to as the "air box" which has a connection with a blowing fan.

[0043] The "seed box" consists of respective side walls continuing the sides of the air box that delimit its width, a bottom wall, a rear wall that in the constructional arrangement of the examples has a cleaning gate and at least one seed passage to the area where the "dragging rotor" is eventually located for the case of drilling work or, to the area where the "containment slope" is located for the case of an on-demand supply. For the constructional arrangement of the example, the front partition has a plurality of outlets that can be selectively closed rapidly and without the use of tools for the purpose of using said outlets based on the number of furrows of the implement. The top face of the seed box is open and communicates with the containing hopper.

[0044] In the "air box" the air current is conveniently directed towards different outlets in order to act on the seed mass according to the working mode.

[0045] In particular, without limiting this, the present invention employs two air currents, one called "main current" and another "secondary current". The air enters the air box of the device from a blowing fan. On the front wall of said box, there are the outlet ports of the "main current" while, on the top part of said wall, there is a passage through which the "secondary current" circulates. The "secondary current" crosses a seed mass and is again joined to the "main current" inside the vertical seed injection chamber generating a "dragging current" that will transport the material to its final destination. In said chamber, both in the "drilling" working mode and in the "on-demand supply" embodiment, the granular material is deposited so that it is dragged.

[0046] In the case of the "drilling" working embodiment, the material is delivered from the "seed chamber" to the "injection chamber" due to the dragging action generated by a mechanical element or dragging dosing system.

[0047] For the "on-demand supply" working embodiment, the material is delivered to the "injection chamber" due to the effect of the air currents that intervene in this working embodiment. According to the illustrated non-limiting examples and according to the aforementioned application AR P20180101923 the "secondary current" of air passes through the seed mass from the bottom of the seed chamber or the roof of the air chamber communicating with the above, through a screened plate, causing a sustenance effect of the seeds, in order to facilitate the dragging towards the "injection chamber". The flow of the secondary current is regulated by a mechanism defining a flow rate register, mechanically limiting the passage section.

[0048] The "main current" comes from the "air box" and enters the "injection chamber" by at least one port. The joining of the "secondary current" with the "main current" generates the "dragging current" which leaves the injection chamber through at least one port communicating directly with at least one conduction pipe via which the transport of the material is carried out.

[0049] For the purposes of being able to carry out the transformation of the system from the "drilling" working embodiment to a system in the "on-demand supply" working mode and vice versa, the present invention defines two functional sets that are timely exchanged in a simple way and without the use of tools and confer the condition of working in two different ways to the system simply opting for the placement of one or the other.

[0050] Both the called "drilling module" and the "supply module" have constructional and functional features specific to each working embodiment, however, their geometry allows them once installed in the "delivery device" to couple to the piping of the delivery circuit to transport the granular material to its destination.

[0051] The "drilling module" consists of a space physically delimited by at least one bottom, side walls and a first front wall communicating with the "seed chamber". The rear face is open and is in communication with the "injection chamber". For the constructional arrangement of the example and without this constituting a limitation, the rear face has a wall of low height that rises from the base acting as containment for the granular material. Within this defined space, the "mechanical dragging" element (rotor) is housed. Said element, receives the granular material from the seed chamber and due to its rotating action, it displaces a certain amount of granular material in each rotation, delivering it in free fall towards the "injection chamber". Said injection chamber has at least one inlet port that communicates directly with the "air chamber" and at least one outlet port that communicates with the circuit piping. Once the granular material enters the "injection chamber", the air current from the "air chamber" drives it into the delivery circuit piping through the outlet port.

[0052] The "supply module" consists of a space physically delimited by at least one bottom or base constituted by the aforementioned perforated or screened surface, side walls and a first front wall communicating with the "seed chamber". The rear face is open and is in communication with the "injection chamber". For the constructional arrangement of the example and without this constituting a limitation, this face has a wall of low height that rises from the base acting as containment for the granular material hereinafter referred to as "containment slope". The "containment slope" aims to retain the granular material that enters from the "seed chamber" due to the effect of gravity by depositing itself inside the chamber of the "supply module" according to its natural slope. The material will be kept in a resting state maintaining its natural slope until the air currents that put the on-demand supply system into operation act thereon.

[0053] The secondary current coming from the "air chamber" enters the "supply module" through the perforations of its base and passes through the seed mass generating a sustenance effect on the seeds.

[0054] The "injection chamber" has at least one inlet port that communicates directly with the "air chamber" and at least one outlet port that communicates with the circuit piping. Through the inlet port, an air current enters from the "air chamber" at high speed. This air flow, called "main current" generates by "Venturi" effect, a negative pressure area at the top of the injection chamber. This negative pressure varies its intensity depending on the speed with which the air passes through the "injection chamber". The maximum air speed condition within the "injection chamber" occurs when the circuit piping is clear at its end, i.e. without accumulation of granular material in the secondary hopper. In this condition of maximum speed and, therefore, maximum negative pressure in the top of the injection chamber, the seeds of the surface of the seed mass retained by the "containment slope" tend to be dragged towards the injection chamber. This condition is favored by the effect of the "secondary current" since it generates a sustenance effect minimizing the amount of energy necessary for the material of the surface to be dragged towards the injection chamber. Both the "secondary current", which passes through the seed mass, and the main current generating the negative pressure and the dragging effect, are joined to exit through the outlet port forming what is called a "dragging current". In Fig. 1, the perspective of a delivery box construction indicated with the generic reference of air box (10) is seen, with the modifications thereof of the present invention and, seen exploded in the same perspective are the component that makes up the vertical seed injection chamber indicated with the generic reference (30) that allows to configure a drilling or volumetric delivery device, and the component that makes up the vertical seed injection chamber indicated with the generic reference (50) that allows to configure an on-demand delivery device, according to the main object of the present invention, that is, the possibility of constructing a volumetric delivery device and selectively converting it into an on-demand delivery device, using the same delivery box (10) of the seed drill machine. Also, in this Fig. one of the many seed dragging cylinders is identified by the generic reference (70) for the drilling or volumetric delivery device.

[0055] In Fig. 2, the longitudinal vertical cutoff of a vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device, associated with the air box (10), is seen. It is seen in the Fig. that the air box (10) is formed by an air chamber that has a rear wall (11) with the inlet (12) of the air (4) under pressure that comes from a blowing means (not illustrated), such as an air pump, a turbine, fan, compressor, etc. The air box (10) has side walls (13) that delimit its width, a bottom wall (14), a top wall or vault (15) and a front partition (16) establishing at least one outlet (17) of the air current from said base box. Said box with the components described heretofore is generic. Without this being limiting and exclusive, by way of example only, the air box (10) may be composed of two sections as shown in Fig. 2, 3, 4 and 5, with an intermediate flange (18) linking both parts thereof. Such air box (10) is linked to the bottom of a hopper (1) also generic, in which the granulated seeds (2) is loaded, such as grains, seeds or granules of agrochemicals, (hereinafter "seeds") being able to have inside the hopper and adjacent to its bottom a rotating stirring medium (3) in a conventional manner.

[0056] In Fig. 3, shown schematically in exploded longitudinal vertical cutoff is the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device of Fig. 2, associated with the air box (10). In said Fig. it is observed that if there is a derivative air communication towards the top wall or vault (15) that communicates from below with the opening (5) at the bottom of the hopper with the seed chamber, this derivative air current is canceled when the register (6) is closed so that the entire air current (4) is passed through the air box (10).

[0057] According to the present invention, this generic air box has its side walls (13) continued downstream of the direction of the air current (4) by means of respective parallel wall portions (19) extending substantially vertically forward in a short distance, having at their top edges two blind vertical slots (20) and (21). In the construction of the vertical seed injection chamber of a drilling or volumetric delivery device of the invention that is installed against the front partition (16) (downstream) of the air box (10), seen in Fig. 3 in its schematic exploded and in vertical cutoff view thereof, the existence of a vertical chamber (31) that has one or more inlets (32) that provides the seed from the seed chamber located above and below the hopper, in communication with it, arranged adjacent to each other between both parallel wall portions (19) of the front end of the air box (10) and all of them in communication with the outlet (5) of the bottom of the hopper. The aforementioned vertical chamber (31) can have a closed bottom (34), with air inlets (35) to passages (36) open at both ends and in direct axial alignment communicating with the air outlets (17) of the air box (10), and subsequently has a first chamber wall (37) that is the one that is attached against the front partition (16) of the air box (10), and separated from (37) another downstream second chamber wall (38), being preferably (37) parallel to (38) in its bottom portions adjacent to the passage (36). In a superior manner, this vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device has a circular notch (39) in which houses a dragging cylinder (70) which, when rotated anti-clockwise drags the seeds from the seed chamber and accumulates them against a small slope (40), and said seeds when exceeding the level of the slope (40) fall through the vertical chamber (31) where they are dragged by the air current (4) coming from the outlet (17) and passages (36). This vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device is arranged between the parallel wall portions (19) projecting from the front end of the air box (10) and is linked thereto. Preferably the circular notch (29) in the side walls (13) corresponds to the notches (39) of the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device so as to accommodate the cylinder (70) rotating about its axis. Preferably, this vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device is completed by a plate (41) which is attached against the downstream second chamber wall (38) or outer wall of the vertical chamber (31), being a substantially vertical plate which is also linked thereto in the parallel wall portions (19). Ideally this plate has so many open pipes (42) at both ends and aligned with the passages (36) of air outlet with the seeds. (See arrow at the right end of Fig. 3). Fig. 4 allows to observe the longitudinal vertical cutoff of a seed injection chamber (50) of an on-demand delivery device, associated with the air box (10). Seen in the Fig. are the same references for said air box (10), with the only difference that in a preferred but not exclusive construction of the invention, this air box (10) presents its vault screened or permeable to the passage of air (15') in association with the fall of the seeds (2), said seeds being subjected to an upward air current (7) or secondary current derived from the air current (4) when the register (6') is opened for diverting in this air current (4) in two currents (7) and (8), said current leaving the front partition (16) of the air box (10) through the at least one outlet (17) from said air box (10).

[0058] In Fig. 5, a schematic detail of one of the possible constructions of the vertical seed injection chamber (50) of an on-demand delivery device that conforms to the on-demand delivery device is provided. This vertical seed injection chamber (50) of an on-demand delivery device preferably has a first chamber wall (51) that is attached against the partition (16) and a second chamber or downstream wall (52), a vertical chamber (53) being established between both of them. After the first chamber wall (51), where the top edge of the front partition (16) of the air box (10) ends, this wall (51) is folded back in (54), substantially parallel to the screened partition (22), where the derived air current (7) or secondary air current leaves, with an opening or passage (55) that delimits the screened area (22), to then be obliquely continued upwards in (56) with a passage (57) matching with the outlet (5) of the seeds. Inside the chamber (53) there is a partition (60) from whose crest the seeds that fall into the chamber (53) are poured, where they are received by the air current (8) that enters through the passage (58) open at the bottom of the vertical chamber (53) at both ends in alignment and axial and in communication with the air outlet (17), from where the seeds are driven through the conduits (59) towards the seed drill's own dosing means (not illustrated).

[0059] In Fig. 6, the partial top front perspective of the air box 10 is seen. It is seen how the parallel extensions (19) of the sides (13) project downstream of the front partition (16) of the air box (10). Only one such extension (19) is illustrated in this Fig., which is clearly seen in Fig. 7 below. A small plane (23) extends between both wall extensions (19) and is originated at the bottom edge of the partition (16), and the free edge of plane (23) has a series of tabs (24) each of which delimits a recess (25), preferably through. Against each of the sides (13), in axial alignment with the circular recess (29) the existence of respective circular hemi-clamps respectively (26, 27) is observed, which in the Fig. are observed in their open clamp condition, ready to receive the corresponding end of the dragging cylinder (70) (not illustrated in this Fig.). The bottom portion (26) can remain fixed to the outside of the wall (13), and at its rear end the folding portion (27) is articulated. The top end of (26) has coupling means (28) linking both clamp components (26, 27) to each other in a secure closing relationship. Each clamp portion (26, 27) has, respectively, a semi-cylindrical inner seat (71,72) that defines the track within which the respective stub of the dragging cylinder (70) rotates about its axis. By closing the components (26, 27) of each clamp on the stub, the dragging cylinder (70) is left with a single degree of rotating freedom.

[0060] Fig. 7 shows the air box (10) with the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device in the act of its installation to the box, without the dragging cylinder (70) for the purposes of clarity of the Fig. In actual practice, in order to achieve the volumetric delivery device, obviously once the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device has been installed, the dragging cylinder (70) must be installed and its end stubs secured to the respective clamps (26, 27).

[0061] Fig. 8, shows in perspective the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device, and in said Fig. it is observed that preferably the interior of the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device has a plurality of vertical partitions that seat against a surface (44) upstream of the slope (40) that subdivide the interior of the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device in a plurality of enclosures one after the other. serving each enclosure to a respective outlet (36).

[0062] Fig. 9, shows on top plan one of the possible constructions of the holding and linking means (80) of the chambers, both the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device and the vertical seed injection chamber (50) of an on-demand delivery device, against the partition (16) of the air box (10). This preferred linking means (80) has a body (81) of which two cantilevered wings (82, 83) are joined, separated and parallel to each other and arranged projected on top of each other. Only the top (82) can be seen in the Fig. since this is a top plan view. In each wing (82, 83) two facing blind notches (84, 85) are made on the same line, so that the notches (84,85) of one of the wings (82) correspond vertically aligned with the notch in the other wing (83), presenting between the blind bottoms of each pair of facing notches of each wing a central portion (86) of a width equivalent to the width of the blind slot (21) present in each vertical wall (19). To assemble and retain each vertical seed injection chamber, once said chamber (30, 50) is presented against the wall (16), this linking means (80) is inserted into each slot (21) so that the notches are left with a single degree of freedom upwards stopped by said side walls (19), seating the central portions (86) therein, and the end (88) of a screw (89) is pressed against the a portion (45) of the outer face or second chamber wall (38) of the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device, or against a the portion (61) of the outer or second chamber wall (52) of the vertical seed injection chamber (50) of an on-demand delivery device. This screw end (88) strongly presses the portions (45) of the downstream second chamber wall (38) of the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device or the portions (61) of the second chamber wall (52) of the vertical seed injection chamber (50) of an on-demand delivery device, depending on which chamber is installed to the air box (10), ensuring contact of the wall (37) or the wall (51) against the front partition (16), respectively, and maintaining the alignment of the outlets (17) with the corresponding passages (36, 58) stable.

[0063] Fig. 10, shows in perspective the seed injection chamber (30) already installed and with the roller or dragging cylindrical body (70) placed in site and with the clamps (26, 27) closed on the stubs (see Fig. 17) of the dragging roller. The linking means (80) are not shown in the figure 10.

[0064] Fig. 11, shows in perspective the plate (41) in which it is detailed that at the ends of the top edge it has respective notches (46) that leave free the end (88) of the screw (89) and at the same time independent the linking of this plate (41) against the second chamber wall (38) of the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device. The plate (41) is linked to the slots (20) by adjusting the fastening bars (47) seated therein. In Fig. 12 detailed is an enlarged and partial perspective view of the air box (10), to which a vertical seed injection chamber (30, 50), either the vertical seed injection chamber of a drilling or volumetric delivery device or the vertical seed injection chamber of an on-demand delivery device, has been installed, and the figure seen is the use of one of the linking means (80) at the time of its installation to the slot (21), and to the closed clamp (27, 26), illustrating the circular seat (71, 72) for the roller stub (not illustrated in this figure), and the position of the closing lever (28) ensuring the closing of the clamp.

[0065] Fig. 13 shows a perspective of the plate (41) which has spaced projections (48) projecting from its bottom edge, which are inserted into reliefs or recesses (25) belonging to tabs (24) vertically aligned with the projections (48) and extending from the small plane (23) extended between both wall portions (19).

[0066] This relationship of means (48, 25) allows to first link the bottom end of (41), and then fix the top portions by means of the fastening bars (47). Fig. 16 has in top plan the horizontal wall portion (23) already mentioned, with the tabs (24). Fig. 13 shows the shape of the notches (46) and the fastening bars (47). Said bars (47) pivot and are inserted (see Fig. 14 and 15) into the slots (20). Please note that according to the preferred construction of the invention the slots (20) are located upstream the slots (21) which makes it possible to ensure that the plate (41) is pressed against the second chamber wall (38) of the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device.

[0067] The reason for the existence of this plate (41) separated from the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device is due to the fact that by removing it is possible to unlock and / or clean the outlets of the vertical chamber (31) without having to remove the roller or cylindrical body (70).

[0068] In Fig. 17, we observe a top front perspective of an air box (10) that already has assembled to the vertical seed injection chamber (30) of a drilling or volumetric delivery device, without the plate (41), and with the cylindrical body (70) presented prior to its installation in the circular seats of the clamps (26, 27). Visible are the end stubs (73) of said roller which rest on the circular seats (71,72) of said clamps.

[0069] Fig. 18 allows us to observe a top front perspective of an air box (10) which according to the present invention has the protruding side walls (19) with the slots (20, 21) for linking and holding the vertical seed injection chamber (50). In the act of being inserted, a holding and linking device (80) is observed cut off and in the same perspective and separated from said air box (10) and the vertical seed injection chamber (50) is shown, at the instant prior to its coupling to said air box (10), in which its side walls (62) are detailed.

[0070] In Fig. 19, the same components of Fig. 18 are shown, but with the vertical seed injection chamber (50) of an on-demand delivery device already assembled against the air box (10) and in the process of being fixed using the linking means (80). It is noted in both figures that when the cylindrical body (70) is removed, the clamps are closed and ready and without holding the dragging cylindrical body (70) which must be removed if the delivery device is converted to one on demand, as shown in the aforementioned Figs. 18 and 19.

Claims

1. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY, FOR THE RAPID TRANSFORMATION OF A SEED DRILL COMBINED WITH A DRAGGING OR DRILLING SEED DOSING DEVICE TO A ON DEMAND SEED SUPPLY DEVICE AND VICE VERSA, including at least one hopper (1) containing a granular input (2), such as grains, seeds or granules of agrochemicals and a delivery device arranged below and in communication with said hopper (1), said delivery device comprising an air box (10) and at least part of a seed delivery box, said air box (10) having respective side walls (13) delimiting its width, a bottom wall (14), a top wall (15) in communication with the seed chamber from the hopper (1), a rear wall (11) having the inlet (12) of an air current (4), and a front partition (16) establishing at least one outlet (17) for at least one granulated input (2) dragging air current from said air box (10) in communication with the structure of the seed delivery box, characterized in that attached against said front partition (16) and at least part of said top wall (15) of the air box (10) is arranged a selectively removable seed injection chamber (30, 50), using linking and holding means (80) and copying the aforementioned profile of the front partition (16) and top wall (15), said seed injection chamber (30, 50) defining two interchangeable and distinct injection chamber constructions; in a first (30) of said injection chamber constructions the same is formed at least by a first chamber wall (37) attached to the front partition (16) of the air box (10), a second chamber wall (38) separated from the first chamber wall (37) by establishing a passage (36) between both walls and a bottom (34), said first continuous injection chamber wall (37) being formed by a blind wall that copies the profile of the top wall (15) of the air box (10), and portions of side walls (13); determining at least part of a roof or vault of the injection chamber (30) for a communication of the interior of said injection chamber (30) with the seed chamber which in turn communicates with the bottom of the hopper (1), establishing the entry of the inputs (2) from the hopper (1) to said seed chamber and from there to the injection chamber (30); in portions of the side wall (13) of the air box (10) and above top wall (15) thereof there are seats for a respective end of the axis of a cylindrical body (70), with selectively detachable holding and releasing means (26, 27), said cylindrical body (70) being rotatable about its axis inside the seed chamber, and interposed and facing the communication between said hopper (1) and seed chamber, said cylindrical body (70) determining mechanical dragging means of the inputs (2) towards said seed injection chamber (30) and forming a drilling delivery device therewith; in a second (50) of said injection chamber constructions, this is formed by a first chamber wall (51) attached to the front partition (16) of the air box (10), a second chamber wall (52) spaced from the first chamber wall (51) by establishing a passage between both walls and a bottom, said first continuous injection chamber wall (51) being at least partly permeable to the passage (55) of a second air current (7) from the air box (10) into the seed chamber, the first chamber wall (51) copying the profile of the top wall of the air box (10), the second construction having a roof or vault of the injection chamber (50) continuing the second injection chamber wall (52) and portions of side walls (13); a partition (60) being disposed in adjacencies to the top end of the first wall (51) of the injection chamber (50) projecting towards the roof or vault of said injection chamber, establishing a passage between the free edge of said partition (60) and said roof or vault, the partition defining a retention slope by overflow of the granulated inputs (2), forming a supply device on demand; establishing for both interchangeable configurations of said injection chamber (30, 50) and within it, between said first walls (37, 51) and second walls (38, 52), at least one communication substantially aligned with the at least one outlet (17) of the main air current (4, 8) of the air box (10), the second wall (38, 52) of the seed injection chamber (30, 50) having at least one air outlet (42, 59) in communication with the deposition means of the granulated inputs (2) to the ground.

2. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY, according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls (13) of the air box (10) extend forward establishing respective wall portions (19) spaced apart from each other and following said front partition (16), seated between said two side walls (19) is the seed injection chamber (30, 50).

3. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY, according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforementioned extensions (19) of the sides (13) of the air box (10) are vertical and parallel to each other, with the linking and holding means (80) of the seed injection chamber (30, 50) being selectively detachable therefrom and arranged below the aforementioned seats of the ends of the axis of the cylindrical body (70) and defining a support and pressure relationship of the first vertical chamber wall (37, 51) against the front partition (16) of the air box (10);4. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY, according to claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the first seed injection chamber (30) defines a drilling or volumetric delivery device composed by said chamber (30) by a first vertical chamber wall (37), a second vertical chamber wall (38), establishing between both a vertical chamber (31), and side walls, presenting a plurality of portions separated from each other and arranged between both side walls, determining between each pair of said portions the inputs to the interior of the injection chamber (30) and all of them in communication with the outlet (5) of the bottom of the hopper (1); said first vertical chamber wall (37) has a plurality of air inlets (35) communicating with open passages (36) at both ends and in direct axial alignment communicating with respective air outlets (17) of the air box (10) present in the front partition (16) thereof; the first vertical chamber wall (37) is arranged attached against the front partition (16) of the air box (10); above the sides of the injection chamber (30) has a housing in the form of a semicircular notch (39) wherein it houses the dragging cylindrical body (70) linked by its ends to the extensions (19) of the side walls (13) of the air box (10) seating in selectively detachable linking Z means (26, 27).

5. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY, according to claim 1, characterized in that the second seed injection chamber (50) defines an on-demand delivery device, said injection chamber (50) being formed by a first vertical chamber wall (51) attached against the front partition (16) of the air box (10) and a second vertical chamber wall (52), a vertical chamber (53) being established between both; the first vertical chamber wall (51) has a top edge in accordance with the crowning of the front partition (16) of the air box (10), folding there backwards with an opening or passage (55) that delimits a corresponding screened area (22) of the air box (10) against which it is attached, to then be continued obliquely upwards with a passage (57) coinciding with the outlet (5) of seeds from the hopper; inside the vertical chamber (53) there is a partition (60) whose crest defines a spillage edge of the seeds which fall inside the vertical chamber (53); said vertical chamber (53) has a plurality of open passages at both ends in alignment and axial communication with respective air outlets (17) in the front partition (16) of the air box (10) determining the transport of the seeds towards the own dosing means of the seed drill.

6. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY, according to claims 1 to 5 in combination with at least claim 2, characterized in that the selectively detachable linking and holding means (80) from the aforementioned injection chambers (30, 50) are defined by a pair of opposed and aligned blind slots (21) arranged with their inlet mouths located on the top back of said vertical walls extension (19) of the air box (10), settling in the slots of each wall a body (81) of which two separate cantilevered wings (82, 83) are joined and parallel to each other and arranged to one projected on the other; in each of the aforementioned wings (82, 83) are made two blind bottom elongated notches (84, 85) facing each other on a same straight line, leaving between each bottom of each pair of axially aligned notches (84, 85) a central portion (86) of a width equivalent to the width of the slot (21), so that the notches (84, 85) of one of the wings (82) corresponds vertically aligned with the notches (84, 85) of the other overlapping wing (83), said slots determining housing seats for the aforementioned central portions (86) of each wing; the aforementioned body has a screw (89) whose thread fillet couples in a complementary thread fillet in a passage of the body (81), seating the protruding end (88) of the screw (89) against the second chamber wall of vertical chamber (31) by pressing the first chamber wall (37, 51) of the seed injection chamber (30, 50) against the front partition (16) of the air box (10).

7. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY, according to what is claimed in claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the selectively detachable holding and releasing means for the respective axis ends of the dragging cylindrical body (70) that rotates on its axis are defined by a pair of respective circular clamps (26, 27), each pair of clamps (26, 27) being arranged in a vertical plane against the external face of each substantially parallel and vertical wall (13) of the air box the bottom half-clamp (26) being solidary of said wall (13) while the top clamp (27) component pivots hinged with respect to the bottom clamp component, the ends being opposite to that of the aforementioned hinge provided with reciprocal closing means; in its closed clamp condition, the interior of each clamp portion has respectively a semi-cylindrical inner seat (71, 72) that defines corresponding circular bearing tracks, aligned and coaxial to the axis of the aforementioned dragging cylindrical body (70), within which the respective stub is seated arranged at each end of the dragging cylindrical body (70).

8. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the vertical chamber (31) of the volumetric delivery device is completed with an independent plate (41) selectively attachable against the second vertical chamber wall (38), the same being retained against it by a bottom holding means defined by a series of tabs (24) on each of which a recess (25) is delimited, said tabs being horizontally projecting from a small plane extended between both wall portions at an extension (19) of the side walls (13) of the air box (10), the corresponding projections (48) being seated at each said recess (25) are projecting from the bottom edge of the aforementioned independent plate (41); while the top portion of said independent plate (41) is linked by a pivoting fastening bar (47) arranged at each top end of the plate in other slots (20) of a pair of slots (20, 21) present at the top edges of each extension (19) of the side walls (13) of the air box (10), said independent plate (41) being provided with outlets (42) of the air currents matching axially with the air outlets practiced in the corresponding vertical chamber (31).

9. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY, according to claim 8, characterized in that said independent plate (41) has two notches (46) coinciding with the displacement path of the pressing screw (89) of the linking means (80) of the seed injection chamber (30), determining the free passage of the end of said pressing screw, said top fastening bars (47) being housed in the slots (20) arranged upstream regarding the slots (21) wherein the linking means (80) of the seed injection chamber (30) are housed.