Drone, and conveying device for use in a drone

Abstract

A drone for spreading material to be scattered for agriculture or forestry, in particular meterable pellets to be scattered, seeds or fertilizer, is described which comprises a storage hopper (4) which receives the material to be scattered which passes via a conveying means (20) into a star feeder metering device (22) which is arranged above a spreading disc (12) and feeds the material to be scattered to the latter in a metered manner via a conveyor funnel (10), with the result that material to be scattered leaves the drone in a metered manner via the rotating spreading disc (12).

Description

[0001] DRONE AND CONVEYOR DEVICE FOR USE IN A DRONE

[0002] The invention relates to a drone for spreading grit for agriculture or forestry, in particular metered spreading granules, seeds or fertilizers, as well as a conveying device for use in a drone.

[0003] It is generally known in the art to spread granular material, such as seeds or fertilizers, using mechanical devices. Examples of such devices are familiar from agricultural technology and include centrifugal, auger, or pneumatic spreaders. These are typically attached to a tractor or trailer. Recently, however, developments have also emerged that extend this approach to unmanned aerial vehicles, such as drones.

[0004] From CN 216784719 U, a seed drill is known as an unmanned device, comprising a movable device and a sowing mechanism arranged on the movable device. The sowing mechanism comprises a frame and a spreading disc. The spreading disc comprises a spreading disc body, a first blade, and a second blade. The spreading disc body is rotatably connected to the frame and is configured to rotate in a plane forming an included angle with the horizontal plane. The first blade and the second blade are arranged on the spreading disc body, and the second blade is located near the center of rotation of the spreading disc body relative to the first blade.

[0005] CN 211140907 U shows a material conveying mechanism of a fertilizer spreader, comprising a support frame, a conveyor auger, an auger drive part, a seeding disc, and a seeding disc drive part. The conveyor auger comprises a housing, an auger shaft, and a spiral blade, with an auger feed opening and an auger discharge opening formed in the housing. The conveyor mechanism of the fertilizer spreader allows granular materials to be spread evenly, and the spreading speed of the granular materials can be controlled.

[0006] WO 2019 / 046837 A1 describes a seed distribution assembly for an aircraft, comprising a distribution assembly that includes a frame that can be selectively mounted on an aircraft and at least one distribution device mounted on the frame. The distribution device has a body defining a cavity for receiving a plurality of agricultural products and a drum for dispensing the plurality of products. A control device configured to communicate with the aircraft and the distribution device to coordinate the time at which products are discharged and a distance of a subsequently discharged product relative to the speed of the aircraft.

[0007] From WO 2021 / 007632 A1, a system for releasing solid products for biological pest control in agriculture is known, comprising a dispensing device on board a remotely controlled manned or unmanned vehicle and a method for releasing such products in the field, either loose or in packaging such as bags or packs, depending on the specific characteristics of the product, by operating the vehicle with tasks performed by an automatic pilot or manually, and wherein the release of the product is triggered at programmed time intervals, based on programmed geographical coordinates or manually.US 11083129 B2 shows a spreading device comprising a hopper mounted axially above a generally circular hollow tube, the generally circular hollow tube forming a semi-circular hopper bottom of an interior region formed by the hopper, and a drive motor assembly mounted on the hopper and operable to rotate the generally circular hollow tube within at least a portion of the interior region formed by the hopper.

[0008] CN 217755436 U describes a screw feeder, a spiral conveyor, and a movable platform, and relates to the technical field of material conveying. The screw feeder comprises a screw body, and the screw body is provided with a spiral groove. By adjusting the size parameters on the screw body, the control accuracy of the dispersion of small particles can be improved.

[0009] CN 217200946 U relates to the field of unmanned equipment, particularly to a material box and an unmanned device. The unmanned device includes a movable platform and a material box. The material box includes a box body, a conveyor assembly, and a first sensor, and the box body is used to store materials. The sensor is disposed in the box body and is used to detect whether materials are being fed into the box body or not. The conveyor assembly is disposed in the box body and is used to convey the materials in the box body out of the box body.

[0010] CN 218 851 288 U shows a modular, removable drone seeding device comprising a feed opening, a grooved wheel, a grooved wheel motor, a chute disc, a chute disc motor, and a housing. The grooved wheel has a rotational speed controlled by the grooved wheel motor to regulate the amount of material to be fed, and the chute disc is coaxially connected to the chute disc motor. The material hits the chute disc from the grooved wheel, and the chute disc rotates to discharge the material.

[0011] CN 112 492 944 A relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, in particular to a spreader for spreading seeds or granular fertilizer, and to an unmanned aerial vehicle with the spreader. The spreader comprises a feed unit connected to a hopper of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a discharge unit connected to the lower part of the feed unit. The feed unit comprises a feed housing connected to the hopper. A feed shaft is arranged in the feed housing for quantitatively feeding materials into the discharge unit. A feed motor for driving the feed shaft is arranged on the outer wall of the feed housing, such that a plurality of feed cavities for receiving the materials are evenly distributed in the surface of the feed shaft. A sealing assembly is provided for sealing the feed cavities.

[0012] DE 10 2017 005 094 A1 discloses an agricultural machine for distributing material, in particular fertilizer and / or seed, comprising at least one metering device with a rotatably driven metering roller mounted in a metering housing for metering the material to be distributed. To ensure precise metering of the material to be distributed within finely divided sections of the agricultural machine, the metering roller of the metering device comprises a plurality of metering wheel segments that are driven to rotate independently of one another. The metering wheel segments can either be switched on or off independently of one another or, in particular, can be driven independently of one another by means of dedicated drives, allowing them to be operated at different speeds.

[0013] Based on this state of the art, the inventors have now set themselves the task of creating a drone or a conveying device for use in a drone that enables a homogeneous delivery of grit and a reproducible quantity of grit mixtures with a controllable spreading pattern.

[0014] This object is achieved by the features of patent claim 1 and the features of patent claim 10. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims. These can be combined with one another in a technologically expedient manner. The description, particularly in conjunction with the drawings, further characterizes and specifies the invention.

[0015] According to the invention, a drone is created for spreading grit for agriculture or forestry, in particular metered spreading granules, seeds or fertilizers, which has a storage container that receives the grit, which is fed via a conveyor into a cell wheel metering device that is arranged above a spreading disc and feeds the grit to the latter in a metered manner via a conveyor hopper, so that the grit leaves the drone in a metered manner via the rotating spreading disc.

[0016] In this way, it is possible to achieve a homogeneous distribution of spreading material by installing a rotary feeder between the storage hopper equipped with the conveyor, which passes on the spreading granules, and the spreading disc. This rotary feeder feeds the spreading granules to the spreading disc via the conveyor hopper. The rotary feeder decouples the rotating spreading disc from the storage hopper, as the spreading granules are no longer subjected to suction forces caused by the rotating spreading disc, which could influence the distribution of the spreading granules. Furthermore, the discharge of the spreading granules can be adjusted very precisely via the rotary feeder, which also leads to improved homogeneity in the distribution of spreading material compared to conventional drones with spreading devices.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cell wheel dosing device is segmented into several cell wheels along a cell wheel axis.

[0018] Segmenting the rotary feeder along the rotary axis is particularly advantageous in order to be able to adjust the discharge of the spreading granules along the rotary axis, so that in this way both the quantity and the selection of the point(s) of impact of the spreading granules on the spreading disc can be determined for the respective application.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cellular wheels are interchangeable to change the distribution of the spreading material or to change the spreading pattern, and the cellular wheels can be replaced with cellular wheels of different shapes and sizes or with non-functional placeholders. The cellular wheels can span the spreading disc on both sides of the rotation axis, at least in sections.

[0020] In addition to the use of different pre-assembled cellular wheels for various applications, it is also planned to make the cellular wheels interchangeable to change the spreading pattern on the cellular wheel axis. Cell wheels of different shapes and sizes can be used, but also non-functional placeholders can be arranged in place of individual cellular wheels. In this way, the amount and position of the impact point of the application granules on the spreading disc can be further optimized for the respective application. If, for example, the application granules are only desired to be delivered to one side of the drone's flight path, non-functional placeholders can be fitted on the side opposite the rotation axis of the spreading disc instead of cell wheels.This allows you to choose between three different configurations of the rotary feeder, allowing for discharge to one side or both sides. The size of the rotary feeders is selected according to the size of the granulate being applied, which is particularly advantageous when switching from granulate of one grain size to mixtures of different grain sizes.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cell wheel axis is arranged perpendicularly or in an angular range of ± 30° to a rotational axis of the spreading plate.

[0022] To minimize the influence of downward airflow generated by the rotors during drone flight, it may be necessary to optimize the rotor axis's angle to the spreading disc's rotation axis. This includes tilting it within an angle range of ± 30° to the spreading disc's rotation axis. However, the choice of angle range depends on the specific design of the drone's rotors and can be determined experimentally, for example.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the rotary feeder can be removed via a cover that can be attached to a housing wall, wherein the cover is fastened to the housing wall with a quick-release fastener.

[0024] This allows for a quick change of the configuration of the rotary feeder, allowing the rotary wheels to be replaced. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the spreading disc can be detached from the rotary axis without tools, preferably via a bayonet lock.

[0025] The tool-free detachment of the spreading plate from the rotation axis allows for easy maintenance of the drone or quick replacement of the limbs mounted on it.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the conveyor hopper is designed in its interior with inclined surfaces which are dimensioned with respect to their inclination to a rotational axis of the spreading plate so that spreading material of different sizes can pass through the conveyor hopper.

[0027] In this way, it is possible to spread different spreading materials with the drone according to the invention, which is particularly advantageous when using seed mixtures, since the individual components can have different sizes. Coated seeds can also be spread in this way.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the conveyor funnel opens from an inlet section below the conveyor into two tubular funnel sections which are arranged on either side of the axis of rotation of the spreading plate.

[0029] Due to this approach, the drone according to the invention is designed with two impact points on the spreading disc, located on either side of the spreading disc's rotation axis. This makes it possible to distribute the granulate over a large spatial area. According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least the spreading disc, the conveyor hopper, and the cell wheels are made of plastic, preferably using a 3D printing process.

[0030] This allows for cost-effective production of the drone according to the invention without the need for injection molds. This also allows for rapid adaptation to individual customer requirements.

[0031] Furthermore, a cell wheel dosing device for use in a drone is specified, which is segmented into several cell wheels along a cell wheel axis, wherein the cell wheels are interchangeable to change the delivery of the spreading material or to change the spreading pattern and can be replaced by cell wheels of different shapes and sizes or by non-functional placeholders.

[0032] Below, some examples are explained in more detail using the drawings. They show:

[0033] Figure 1 shows part of a device according to the invention in a perspective side view,

[0034] Figure 2 shows a detail of Figure 1 in a sectional view,

[0035] Figure 3 shows another detail of Figure 1 in a perspective side view,

[0036] Figure 4A shows a further detail of Figure 1 in a perspective side view, and Figure 4B shows a further detail of Figure 1 in a perspective side view.

[0037] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent components are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0038] With reference to Figure 1, an embodiment of a conveying device 2 for use in a drone is described. The drone can be used to spread spreading material for agriculture or forestry, in particular metered spreading granules such as seeds or fertilizers. The conveying device 2, as a component of the drone, is described only with regard to its components important for delivering the spreading granules. Further aspects of the drone, for example, relating to its flight capability, are not the subject of the invention. However, these aspects can easily be supplemented within the scope of normal expert practice.

[0039] The conveyor device 2 comprises a storage container 4 on its top, which can be filled with the spreading material via a filling opening 6. The actual dosing mechanism is arranged below the storage container 4 within a housing 8, through which the spreading material is conveyed to a conveyor hopper 10 and from there to a spreading plate 12. The dosing mechanism is described in more detail below.

[0040] Several throwing arms 14 are provided on the spreading disc 12, which guide the spreading material radially outwards when the spreading disc 12 rotates, so that the spreading material can leave the conveyor device 2. The spreading pattern of the conveyor device 2 can be influenced by the point of impact of the spreading material on the spreading disc 12, the speed of the spreading disc 12, and the amount of spreading material delivered. The spreading material leaves the conveyor hopper 10 in the direction of the spreading disc 12 via openings 16 arranged on the underside of the conveyor hopper 10.

[0041] The dispensed quantity of grit is controlled by the dosing mechanism located behind the housing 8 with a cover 18. The cover 18 is attached to the housing 8 with quick-release fasteners 19 to allow quick access to the interior of the housing 8.

[0042] With reference to Figure 2, the dosing mechanism is explained in more detail in a sectional view. The sectional plane runs approximately through the center of the spreading plate 12. It can be seen that a conveyor 20 is located inside the housing 8, which, similar to an agitator, transports spreading material from the storage container 4 to a rotary feeder 22 as the dosing mechanism. The conveyor 20 comprises conveyor arms 24 arranged around a shaft 26. The rotary feeder 22 is segmented into several rotary wheels 28 arranged along a hollow shaft 30. The rotary feeder 22 and the conveyor 20 are driven by an electric motor 32, which is connected to the shaft 26 and the hollow shaft 30 via a shoulder 34 and a pair of gears 36.

[0043] The conveyor hopper 10 is located on the underside of the rotary feeder 22. From an inlet section 38 below the rotary feeder 22, it opens into two tubular hopper sections 40, which are arranged on either side of a rotational axis 42 of the spreading plate 12. The conveyor hopper 10 is designed with inclined surfaces 44 on its interior, which are dimensioned with respect to the rotational axis 42 of the spreading plate 12 so that spreading material of different sizes can pass through the conveyor hopper 10 at the openings 16.

[0044] The orientation of the hollow shaft 30 corresponds to a rotary wheel axis around which the rotary wheels 28 rotate. The rotary wheel axis can be arranged perpendicularly or at an angular range of ± 30° to the rotational axis 42 of the spreading plate 12. The rotary wheels 28 can be interchangeable to adapt to the grain size of the spreading material. Rotary wheels can be replaced by rotary wheels of different shapes and sizes or by non-functional placeholders. The rotary wheels 28 span the spreading plate 12 on both sides of the rotational axis 42, at least in individual sections.

[0045] Referring to Figure 3, the structure of the conveyor 20 and the rotary feeder 22 is shown again in a perspective side view, in which, in particular, the housing 8 has been removed. It can be seen that the rotary feeder 22 has individual conveyor cells 46 on the rotary wheels 28, which transport the spreading material during a rotating movement. The size and number of conveyor cells 46 can be adapted to the respective application by exchanging the rotary wheels 28 of the rotary feeder 22.

[0046] Figures 4A and 4B again show a detail of the spreading plate 12. The spreading plate 12 can be removed from its rotational axis 42 without tools, for which a bayonet lock is provided. For this purpose, as shown in Figure 4A, a star-shaped extension 50 is provided at the end of the rotational axis 42, which can penetrate corresponding openings 52 on the spreading plate 12 and comes to rest between the openings 52. On the rear of the spreading plate 12, as shown in Figure 4B, a counterpart 54 is arranged, which is pressed towards the end of the rotational axis by a spring 56. The locking screws 58 shown serve only as additional security during the testing phase and can be omitted later.

[0047] The features specified above, those in the claims, and those apparent from the illustrations can be advantageously implemented both individually and in various combinations. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be modified in many ways within the scope of expert knowledge.

[0048] List of reference symbols:

[0049] 2 conveying device

[0050] 4 storage containers

[0051] 6 Filling opening

[0052] 8 housings

[0053] 10 conveyor hoppers

[0054] 12 spreading plates

[0055] 14 limbs

[0056] 16 openings

[0057] 18 lids

[0058] 19 quick-release fasteners

[0059] 20 funding

[0060] 22 rotary feeders

[0061] 24 conveyor arms

[0062] 26 Wave

[0063] 28 cell wheels

[0064] 30 hollow shaft

[0065] 32 electric motor

[0066] 34 Approach

[0067] 36 gear pairs

[0068] 38 Inlet section

[0069] 40 funnel sections

[0070] 42 axis of rotation

[0071] 44 inclined surfaces

[0072] 46 conveyor cells

[0073] 50 extension

[0074] 52 openings

[0075] 54 counterpart

[0076] 56 spring

Claims

Claims: 1 . Drone for spreading grit for agriculture or forestry, in particular metered spreading granules, seeds or fertilizers, which has a storage container (4) which receives the grit, which is fed via a conveyor (20) into a cellular wheel metering device (22) which is arranged above a spreading plate (12) and feeds the grit to the latter in a metered manner via a conveyor hopper (10), so that the grit leaves the drone in a metered manner via the rotating spreading plate (12).

2. Drone according to claim 1, wherein the cell wheel dosing device (12) is segmented into a plurality of cell wheels (28) along a cell wheel axis.

3. Drone according to claim 2, wherein the cell wheels (28) are interchangeable to change the delivery of the spreading material or to change the spreading pattern and wherein the cell wheels (28) are replaceable by cell wheels (28) of different shapes and sizes or by non-functional placeholders.

4. Drone according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the cell wheel axis is arranged perpendicularly or in an angular range of ± 30° to a rotational axis (42) of the spreading plate (12) and the cell wheels (28) can span the spreading plate (12) on both sides of the rotational axis (42) at least in sections.

5. Drone according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotary feeder (22) can be removed via a cover (18) attachable to a housing wall (8), wherein the cover (19) is fastened to the housing wall (8) with a quick-action fastener (19).

6. Drone according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spreading plate (12) can be detached from the rotation axis (42) without tools, preferably via a bayonet lock.

7. Drone according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the conveyor hopper (10) is designed in its interior with inclined surfaces (44) which are dimensioned with respect to their inclination to a rotational axis (42) of the spreading plate (12) such that spreading material of different sizes can pass through the conveyor hopper (10).

8. Drone according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the conveyor hopper (10) opens from an inlet section (38) below the rotary feeder (22) into two tubular hopper sections (40) which are arranged on either side of the axis of rotation (42) of the spreading plate (12).

9. Drone according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least the spreading plate (12), the conveyor hopper (10) and the cell wheels (28) are made of plastic, preferably in a 3D printing process.

10. Cell wheel dosing device for use in a drone, which is segmented along a cell wheel axis into several cell wheels (28), wherein the cell wheels (28) are interchangeable to change the delivery of the spreading material or to change the spreading pattern and can be replaced by cell wheels (28) of different shapes and sizes or by non-functional placeholders.

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