Row unit for a sowing machine and sowing machine having row units

Abstract

The invention relates to a row unit (3) for a sowing machine (2), comprising a frame (4), a furrow opener (8), mounted on the frame (4), for opening a seed furrow (S), a seed dispensing mechanism (6) for depositing seed into the seed furrow (S), and a catching roller (9), mounted on the frame (4), for braking and / or pressing seed deposited into the seed furrow (S). In order to enable the detection of a parameter related to the sowing of seed in row units (3) having a catching roller (9), according to the invention, a sensor carrier (12) is arranged on the frame (4) directly behind the catching roller (9) in the direction of travel (F) in such a way that it is carried in the sowing furrow (S) after the seed has been braked and / or pressed in, wherein the sensor carrier (12) has at least one sensor (12S) for detecting at least one parameter related to the sowing of seed.

Description

[0001] Row unit for a seed drill and seed drill with row units

[0002] The invention relates to a row unit for a seed drill according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a seed drill with a plurality of row units according to patent claim 10.

[0003] Row units for seed drills are known, which comprise a frame, a furrow opener mounted on the frame, a seed delivery mechanism, and a catcher roller mounted on the frame. During operation of such a row unit, the furrow opener opens a seeding furrow in the soil, into which seed is delivered by the seed delivery mechanism. The catcher roller serves to slow down and / or press down the seed delivered into the seeding furrow. The seeding furrow is closed again after the seed has been placed to ensure proper germination.

[0004] Other row units are known that feature a sensor carrier for detecting parameters related to seed sowing. Since the sensor carrier is located in the seed furrow, it is usually used instead of the catcher roller. However, these row units subsequently exhibit impaired seed placement in the seed furrow.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to enable the detection of a parameter related to the sowing of seed in row units with a catching roller, which in particular have seed delivery mechanisms comprising an overpressure-operated singling device.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a series unit having the features of claim 1.

[0007] It is provided that the row unit for a seed drill comprises a frame, a furrow opener mounted on the frame, a seed delivery mechanism, and a catcher roller. The furrow opener is provided to open a seed furrow and can comprise two coulter discs arranged at an angle relative to one another. Preferably, the row unit further comprises a furrow former mounted on the frame, which is arranged in particular between the coulter discs to form the opened seed furrow. The seed delivery mechanism is provided for the precise delivery of seeds in a predetermined number of plants per unit length. Preferably, the seed delivery mechanism comprises an overpressure-operated singulating device which singulates seeds with the aid of overpressure and releases them into the seed furrow at pneumatic acceleration.A sensor carrier is arranged on the frame directly behind the catcher roller in the direction of travel in such a way that it is supported in the seed furrow after braking and / or pressing the seed, wherein the sensor carrier has at least one sensor to detect at least one parameter related to the sowing of seed. The sensor carrier is thus arranged directly behind the catcher roller, i.e. without any further elements being provided in between in the direction of travel, so that it can run in the shadow of the catcher roller in the seed furrow. The sensor carrier is thus designed to detect particularly meaningful parameters directly at the location of the seed placement before the seed furrow closes. The row unit can comprise a closing unit for the seed furrow in order to cover the placed and pressed seed with soil. The closing unit is preferably arranged behind the sensor carrier in the direction of travel.The closing unit can comprise two furrow covering rollers that are arranged at an angle relative to each other. In this case, the arrangement of the sensor carrier immediately behind the catcher roller is particularly advantageous, as this creates space for the arrangement and function of the closing unit, whereby the row unit does not project too far rearward in the direction of travel. After braking and / or pressing the seed, i.e. in the direction of travel behind the seed that is located just below the catcher roller, the arrangement of the sensor carrier is particularly advantageous, as it first ensures good seed placement before the detection of parameters related to seed sowing is carried out. The catcher roller can be designed to form the seed furrow. In particular, the catcher roller is designed to be walking.

[0008] In an advantageous development of the row unit according to the invention, it is provided that the sensor carrier is arranged at least partially in the direction of travel in front of a vertical plane which extends perpendicular to the direction of travel of the row unit and lies tangentially against the catcher roller. The vertical plane lies particularly at the rear of the catcher roller in the direction of travel. This area in front of the vertical plane is particularly expedient for arranging the sensor carrier, since the seed furrow is still held open here by the catcher roller. Preferably, the sensor carrier is thus arranged at least partially below the catcher roller, viewed in the transverse direction, namely below the quadrant of the catcher roller between the vertical plane and the contact point of the catcher roller in the seed furrow.As a result of this further development, the arrangement of the sensor carrier is particularly space-saving, since the sensor carrier is arranged at least partially transversely to the direction of travel in the same installation space as the catch roller, so that the row unit does not project far to the rear.

[0009] In a further advantageous development of the row unit according to the invention, said unit comprises a closing unit for covering the seed furrow with soil, and provision is made for the sensor carrier to be arranged in front of or immediately adjacent to a contact point of the closing unit in the direction of travel. The contact point of the closing unit defines the location from which the seed furrow is closed again. Studies have shown that, as a result of this development, the sensor carrier can detect particularly meaningful parameters, since the seed furrow is largely still in the same condition as it was for seed placement. A further advantage is that the sensor carrier thus generates the parameters at the planting depth of the seeds finally generated by the catcher roller, and the detection is not disrupted by the seed furrow already closing.

[0010] In order to further advantageously develop the row unit according to the invention, the seed delivery mechanism is configured to accelerate individual seeds, wherein the direction of a flow of seeds from a seed outlet intersects a circumferential surface of the catching roller or lies substantially tangentially against the circumferential surface. The seed outlet can be arranged at the open end of a seed line, wherein preferably all seeds in the seed line are accelerated by the seed delivery mechanism. The acceleration of the seeds is preferably induced pneumatically, for which purpose the seed delivery mechanism can comprise a positive-pressure operated singling device. Alternatively, the acceleration can be induced by an over- or negative-pressure operated ejector. Particularly for accelerated seeds, a catching roller has proven advantageous for braking and / or pressing the seeds, particularly compared to a sensor carrier.The sensor carrier is therefore only deployed immediately behind the catcher roller, once the seed placement has already been completed or germination has been secured by the catcher roller. Parameters relevant to sowing can thus be detected directly on the decelerated and / or pressed seed.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the row unit according to the invention, the sensor carrier is spaced from the catcher roller at a distance of less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, particularly preferably less than 1 cm. The distance perpendicular to a circumferential surface of the catcher roller can be less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, particularly preferably less than 1 cm. Studies have shown that the seed furrow in this close range to the catcher roller is particularly suitable for detection by the sensor carrier, since the furrow walls are swept over by the catcher roller and thus at least briefly homogenized.

[0012] To detect parameters relevant to sowing in an area particularly critical for the seed, the sensor carrier is positioned on the frame in such a way that the underside of the sensor carrier is in contact with the bottom of the seed furrow and / or sweeps over slowed-down and / or pressed-down seeds. The horizon of the furrow bottom can thus be detected by at least one sensor on the sensor carrier and provide particularly relevant measured values. Furthermore, the sown seeds can be detected to check where and / or how regularly they were placed and / or whether they were pressed down correctly.

[0013] In a further advantageous development of the row unit according to the invention, an elastic suspension device is provided, wherein the sensor carrier is arranged on the frame via the elastic suspension device. The sensor carrier is thus created with the possibility of adapting to the ground contour. The elastic suspension device can also serve as an overload protection device and thus protect the sensor carrier from damage. Alternatively, it would be conceivable to mount the sensor carrier rigidly on the frame.

[0014] In a further particularly advantageous development of the row unit according to the invention, the suspension device comprises a spring arm which projects downwards from the frame, wherein the sensor carrier is mounted on the free end of the spring arm. The spring arm can be elastic so that it functions like a leaf spring. Alternatively, the spring arm can be rigid and arranged so that it can rotate on the frame and / or on the sensor carrier, wherein the sensor carrier is preferably supported on the frame by a spring. The spring arm preferably projects diagonally forwards in the direction of travel in order to enable a collision-free arrangement very close to the catch roller. The spring arm implements a pulling reception of the sensor carrier so that the sensor carrier can deflect backwards and upwards in order to overcome obstacles and so that there is no collision with the catch roller even in the event of an overload.The rear part of the sensor carrier is lifted out when the front part hits an obstacle. Preferably, a front part of the sensor carrier has a higher hardness than a rear part of the sensor carrier in order to easily protect the sensor carrier from damage and wear. The spring arm preferably has a substantially C-shape, wherein in particular an upper leg of the C-shaped spring arm is mounted on the frame and a lower leg of the spring arm carries the sensor carrier. The C-shape of the spring arm can be reproduced in the transverse direction if the direction of travel of the row unit points to the left. Alternatively, the spring arm can be aligned diagonally backwards and downwards from an axis of the catch roller in the direction of travel, wherein the spring arm can also have a substantially C-shape. Alternatively, the spring arm can implement a sliding mount for the sensor carrier.

[0015] In another particularly advantageous development of the row unit according to the invention, the suspension device comprises a parallelogram with at least one spring element. The spring element can be designed as a spiral spring and / or a leaf spring. The parallelogram can be formed by two links to which a spring element is assigned. The parallelogram can also be formed by spring elements itself. Alternatively, the parallelogram can be formed by a link and a spring element. The parallelogram arrangement allows the sensor carrier to be offset forwards so that the sensor carrier can be carried particularly close to the catch roller. The parallelogram implements a pressing reception of the sensor carrier so that the sensor carrier returns to its original position more quickly after overcoming an obstacle. Furthermore, the parallelogram arrangement offers the advantage that the sensor carrier can be parallel to the seed furrow orThe soil is held at the bottom of the seed furrow, creating a permanent and uniform detection area for the sensors. This increases measurement accuracy.

[0016] In a further advantageous development of the row unit according to the invention, it is provided that the spring arm or the spring elements are pre-tensioned in the direction of the sowing furrow in order to hold the sensor carrier in a resiliently deflectable manner in contact with the sowing furrow and / or to hold the sensor carrier at a distance of less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, particularly preferably less than 1 cm, from the catcher roller. The sensor carrier can thus be held in a resiliently deflectable manner in contact with the bottom of the sowing furrow. This enables reliable detection of parameters related to the sowing of seed, even under changing soil conditions. The pre-tension prevents the sensor carrier from losing contact with the sowing furrow, while ensuring that it can avoid obstacles.

[0017] The object of the invention is further achieved by a seed drill with a plurality of row units, wherein the row units are designed according to at least one of the above embodiments. For the advantages and modifications, reference is made to the embodiments of the row unit.

[0018] Further details of the invention can be found in the example description and the drawings. The drawings show Fig. 1 a machine combination comprising a tractor and a seed drill according to the invention with a plurality of row units according to the invention in plan view,

[0019] Fig.2 a row unit according to Fig.1 in isolated side view,

[0020] Fig.3 a detailed view of the row unit according to Fig.2, and

[0021] Fig.4 shows another embodiment of the row unit in detailed view.

[0022] A seed drill 2 according to the invention, coupled behind a towing vehicle 1, is shown in Fig. 1. The seed drill 2 and the towing vehicle 1 form a machine combination. The seed drill 2 has a plurality of row units 3 at its rear end in the direction of travel F. The row units 3 are arranged side by side on a cross member of the seed drill 2, transverse to the direction of travel F, in order to plant so-called row crops.

[0023] One of the row units 3 can be seen in Fig. 2 in a side view isolated from the seed drill 2, i.e., transverse to the direction of travel F. The row unit 3 comprises a frame 4, which connects to the cross member of the seed drill 2 and to which all other components are mounted. Each row unit 3 has a hopper 5 for seed. The seed slides from the hopper 5 into a seed delivery mechanism 6. The seed delivery mechanism 6 comprises a pressure-operated singling device 6V, which pneumatically singulates seed with the aid of pressurized air and accelerates it into a seed line 7. The singulated seed is delivered via the seed line 7 into a seed furrow S opened by furrow openers 8 mounted on the frame 4. The furrow openers 8 are formed by two coulter discs arranged at an angle to one another, which cut the seed furrow S into the soil.Since the seed is accelerated by the singling device 6V, a catching roller 9 mounted on the frame 4 is provided to decelerate the seed delivered into the seed furrow S and press it into the bottom of the seed furrow S. At the rear of the row unit 3 in the direction of travel F, a closing unit designed as two furrow covering rollers 10 arranged at an angle to one another is arranged on the frame 4 to close the seed furrow S again with the pressed seed. The furrow covering roller 10, on the left as seen in the direction of travel F, has been disassembled in Figures 2 to 4 to provide a view of the remaining components.

[0024] The seed line 7 has a seed outlet at its open end, concealed by the furrow openers 8 and the pressure rollers 11 associated with them. The direction R of the flow of accelerated seeds emerging from the seed outlet lies tangentially against a circumferential surface of the catcher roller 9. Depending on the seed, the direction R can also intersect the circumferential surface of the catcher roller 9. The row units 3 of the seed drill 2 are thus designed for use at high travel speeds: The seed is singulated by the singling device 6V using overpressure and accelerated into the seed furrow S, where it is braked and pressed down by the catcher roller 9. The catcher roller 9 prevents the seed from jumping and rolling, which accelerated seeds otherwise tend to do.The seed delivery mechanism 6 is thus designed, with the aid of the catch roller 9, to produce a predetermined number of plants per unit length even at high travel speeds, since a high delivery frequency can be achieved due to the accelerated seeds.

[0025] In the direction of travel F, directly behind the catcher roller 9, a sensor carrier 12 is arranged on the frame 4 in such a way that it is supported in the seed furrow S after braking and pressing the seed. No further components are arranged between the catcher roller 9 and the sensor carrier 12. The sensor carrier 12 has several sensors 12S to detect various parameters related to the sowing of seed. In order to provide particularly meaningful data, the sensor carrier 12 is guided in the seed furrow S. Since, on the other hand, the seed furrow S is closed again by the furrow coverage rollers 10, the arrangement of the sensor carrier 12 directly behind the catcher roller 9 is particularly advantageous. The row unit 3 therefore does not unload far to the rear, since the furrow coverage rollers 10, only one of which is shown in Fig. 2, can be arranged directly behind the sensor carrier 12 on the frame 4.

[0026] 3 and 4 show, the sensor carrier 12 is arranged partially in the direction of travel F in front of a vertical plane V which extends perpendicular to the direction of travel F of the row unit 3 and lies tangentially against the rear end of the catcher roller 9. The plane V therefore runs perpendicular to the image plane in Fig. 3 and 4. In this area, the sensor carrier 12 is less than 1 cm away from the outer surface of the catcher roller 9. This has the advantage that the sensor carrier 12 with its sensors 12S runs in the shadow of the catcher roller 9 in the seed furrow S. The sensor carrier 12 is also arranged in the direction of travel F in front of or immediately adjacent to a contact point A of the closing unit designed as furrow covering rollers 10, so that the seed furrow S is closed again after the parameters relevant for sowing seed have been determined.The underside of the sensor carrier 12 is always in contact with the bottom of the sowing furrow S and passes over the braked and pressed seeds.

[0027] Fig. 3 also shows a first embodiment of an elastic suspension device 13. The sensor carrier 12 is arranged on the frame 4 via the suspension device 13, which in this embodiment is designed as an elastic spring arm 13A. In an embodiment not shown, the sensor carrier 12 can alternatively be fastened via a rigid spring arm that is rotatably arranged on the frame, wherein the sensor carrier is supported on the frame via a spring. The suspension device 13 protects the sensor carrier 12 against overload and also configures it to follow the ground contour. The spring arm 13A has a substantially C-shape and projects diagonally forward and downward from the frame 4, with the sensor carrier 12 being mounted on the free end of the spring arm 13A. The spring arm 13A pulls the sensor carrier 12 onto the frame 4 so that it can deflect backward and upward away from the catch roller 9.The spring arm 13A functions as a type of leaf spring. The spring arm 13A is preloaded toward the seed furrow S to resiliently hold the sensor carrier 12 in contact with the bottom of the seed furrow S. Furthermore, the distance of less than 1 cm to the catch roller 9 is maintained.

[0028] Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the elastic suspension device 13. The sensor carrier 12 is mounted on the frame 4 via a parallelogram. The parallelogram is formed by two spring elements 13B. The spring elements 13B are designed as spiral springs and are arranged offset rearward from the frame 4 on the sensor carrier 12, so that the sensor carrier 12 projects forward. The spring elements 13B are also preloaded in the direction of the sowing furrow S and hold the sensor carrier 12 resiliently in contact with the sowing furrow S. The spring elements 13B arranged in the parallelogram implement a compressive reception of the sensor carrier 12. In an embodiment not shown, the parallelogram is formed from two links instead of the spring elements 13B, with a spring element 13B being assigned to the links.

[0029] List of reference symbols

[0030] 1 towing vehicle

[0031] 2 seed drills

[0032] F Direction of travel

[0033] 3 row unit

[0034] 4 frames

[0035] 5 storage containers

[0036] 6 Seed release mechanism

[0037] 6V separating device

[0038] 7 Seed line

[0039] 8 furrow openers

[0040] S seed furrow

[0041] 9 Catch roll

[0042] 10 furrow covering roll

[0043] 11 Pressure roller

[0044] R direction (accelerated seeds)

[0045] 12 sensor carriers

[0046] 12S Sensor

[0047] V vertical plane

[0048] A uprising point

[0049] 13 Suspension device

[0050] 13A spring arm

[0051] 13B Spring element

Claims

[Patent claims] Row unit (3) for a seed drill (2), comprising - a frame (4), - a furrow opener (8) mounted on the frame (4) to open a seed furrow (S), - a seed delivery mechanism (6) to deliver seed into the seed furrow (S), and - a catch roller (9) mounted on the frame (4) for decelerating and / or pressing seed into the seed furrow (S), characterized in that a sensor carrier (12) is arranged on the frame (4) immediately behind the catch roller (9) in the direction of travel (F) such that it is carried in the seed furrow (S) after deceleration and / or pressing of the seed, wherein the sensor carrier (12) has at least one sensor (12S) for detecting at least one parameter related to seed sowing. Row unit (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor carrier (12) is arranged at least partially in the direction of travel (F) in front of a vertical plane (V) which extends perpendicular to the direction of travel (F) of the row unit (3) and is tangentially in contact with the catch roller (9).Row unit (3) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a closing unit (10) arranged on the frame (4) to cover the seed furrow (S) with soil, wherein the sensor carrier (12) is arranged in the direction of travel (F) in front of or immediately adjacent to a contact point (A) of the closing unit (10). Row unit (3) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seed delivery mechanism (6) is configured to accelerate individual seeds, wherein the direction (R) of a stream of seeds from a seed outlet intersects a lateral surface of the catching roller (9) or is substantially tangential to the lateral surface. Row unit (3) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor carrier (12) has a distance of less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, particularly preferably less than 1 cm, from the catching roller (9). Row unit (3) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor carrier (12) is arranged on the frame (4) such that an underside of the sensor carrier (12) is in contact with a sole of the seed furrow (S) and / or sweeps over decelerated and / or pressed-down seed grains. Row unit (3) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by an elastic suspension device (13), wherein the sensor carrier (12) is arranged on the frame (4) via the elastic suspension device (13).Series unit (3) according to claim 7, characterized in that the suspension device (13) comprises a spring arm (13A), in particular an elastic one, which projects downwards from the frame (4), preferably obliquely forwards in the direction of travel (F), wherein the sensor carrier (12) is mounted at the free end of the spring arm (13A). Series unit (3) according to claim 7, characterized in that the suspension device (13) comprises a parallelogram with at least one spring element (13B). Series unit (3) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the spring arm (13A) or the spring elements (13B) is or are pre-tensioned in the direction of the seed furrow (S) in order to keep the sensor carrier (12) resiliently in contact with the seed furrow (S), in particular a sole of the seed furrow (S), and / or to keep the sensor carrier (12) at a distance of less than 5cm, preferably less than 3cm, particularly preferably less than 1cm, from the catch roller (9). Seed drill (2) with a plurality of row units (3), characterized in that the row units (3) are designed according to at least one of the preceding claims.

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